IPL 2018 Transfer Window: 5 players Rajasthan Royals will target

The Rajasthan Royals had a very poor start to their campaign in the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League. They were demolished by 9 wickets by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first game. They got their act working in the next couple of games to register two crucial wins. Again, they lost the plot and were found playing the catching game in the two matches that followed. Just when people started ruling them out, they registered a close win against the Mumbai Indians to be in the race for the top slots this season.

Currently, they look like a settled side on paper. Also, the addition of Jofra Archer in the playing eleven seems to have clicked ideally for them. Despite the settled lineup, there have been instance when they have been all over the place in the performance quotient. Their middle-order, the lower middle-order has been underperforming. The inconsistency has hurt them dearly.

Also, the Indian contingent in the fast bowling department has failed to live up to the expectations. Now, with the mid-season Transfer Window of IPL 2018 coming up, the Rajasthan Royals would want to rectify their team permutations with some crucial signings. The transfers will commence after the 27th game of the season. Any player who has played two or less than two matches this season, will be up for grabs again. Here we try to narrow down the players that the Royals would target at the transfers.

Here are the 5 players Rajasthan Royals will target in the transfer window:

Ben Cutting

Ben Cutting is one of the most renowned all-rounders in the shortest format of the game. The 31-year old Aussie had played a key role in the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s win in the 2016 edition of the IPL. This season, he is with the Mumbai Indians. He has only played one game in the season thus far.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that most teams will have their eyes on Cutting in the transfers. The Royals need someone to finish off the games for them. Cutting, who has a strike rate of 154.85, can be the ideal candidate for them. Also, Cutting can chip in with some crucial overs for the team in case the mainstream frontline bowlers fail to deliver for the side.

T Natarajan

Thangarasu Natarajan is a very talented left arm pace bowler from Tamil Nadu. Last season, he was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for a whopping amount of INR 3 crores. His journey from being a coolie to a cricketer is impressive. He has a very good deceptive slower ball that has fetched him a lot of success in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

At the IPL Transfer Windows this season, Natarajan can prove to be a cheat deal for any franchise who wish to take his services. Currently, he is with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament and is yet to get a game for the Men in Orange. He can be a like for like replacement of Jaydev Unadkat in the Royals camp for a few games for sure. 

JP Duminy

JP Duminy is one of the most iconic modern day South African cricketers. Duminy has been warming the bench for the Mumbai Indians this season. Despite being immensely experienced, he is not finding ways to get in to the playing eleven for the Mumbai camp. With the mid season transfers coming up, the teams will keep an eye on his movements for sure.

Duminy was recently a part of the winning Islamabad United franchise in the PSL. In the tournament, he had shown decent form with some good scores of 54, 73*, and 43*. He has been in a good form and it will only be justified to see him on the field in the IPL 2018 as well.

Basil Thampi

Young Kerala speedster Basil Thampi has played only one match in the tournament this year, as on April 24, 2018. Thampi is with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team that boasts of quality bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, and Siddarth Kaul. In all likelihood, Thampi might not get enough chances in the SRH camp.

On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royal could be interested in getting the services of Thampi this season. The Indian duo of Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat have not been bowling consistently in the season and that could open the doors for another Indian pacer in the squad.

Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel can be a good addition to the Rajasthan Royals. The Royals lack experience in their batting order. Hence, it could actually be a wise move to bring a seasoned campaigner like Parthiv in the side. Parthiv was highly successful as the opener for the Mumbai Indians last season.

This year, he is with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. With Quinton de Kock keeping wickets for RCB, it is unlikely that Parthiv will get a game for them. On the contrary, the Royals can bring him in the lineup considering the fact that having him in the side could create an additional overseas vacancy. Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen are the overseas keepers in the side and both have largely disappointed thus far.

*Disclaimer: These are the players’ teams would’ve liked to add with the transfer window. However, the rule is that only uncapped players who have played maximum two matches after 7 matches will be eligible for transfer.

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