Former India cricketer-turned-veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Rajasthan Royals’ batting as one of their strengths heading into IPL 2025 as well. He added that the Jaipur-based franchise can play an all-Indian top order. The Royals retained Sanju Samson (₹18 crore), Yashasvi Jaiswal (₹18 crore), Riyan Parag (₹14 crore), and Dhruv Jurel (₹14 crore) as Indian batters, heading into the auction as well. Shimron Hetmyer (₹11 crore) and bowler Sandeep Sharma (₹4 crore) were their other two pre-auction retentions as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The batting was already strong and has become even stronger. It was already an Indian core. Along with the Mumbai Indians, they have the ability to play an entire Indian top order, and it has ability, confidence, and a destructive approach,” he said.
“Sanju Samson as a captain, Yashasvi Jaiswal – maybe both as openers. After that, you can get Nitish Rana and then you can keep Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel. You can move them up and down as well. They have an excellent left-right combination. They have kept it strongly till No. 6. Earlier, at times, the lower order wasn’t that strong and had a few shortcomings. I think they have plugged all their holes as far as batting is concerned. After that also, Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer, which means you have slightly more depth in batting. This team has assembled decent batting till No. 8,” he added.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also stated that the Rajasthan Royals will also have continuity in batting, with Sanju Samson potentially taking Jos Buttler’s place at the top of the order and Nitish Rana playing at No. 3 as well.
“The batting is looking good to me, and along with that continuity. The captain is the same and he is right. The roles are also almost defined. Nitish Rana will quietly go and fit in the middle. Sanju will go up in place of Buttler and Nitish Rana will come in Sanju’s place. You just carry on from there. You can send a left-hander if a left-hander gets out, or else you can send a right-hander. So all that is possible. Continuity will remain this team’s mantra in batting,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
