IPL 2022: Match 5 – Strongest Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted Playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Rajasthan Royals are all set to start their IPL 2022 campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on the 29th of March. After winning the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008, the franchise has not made it to the finals of the IPL and they will be hoping to turn their fortunes around this year after building up a new squad.

Rajasthan Royals retained Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson ahead of the mega auction this year and they made some valuable additions to their bowling department in the form of Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Prasidh Krishna. Over the years, the franchise has heavily depended on the overseas contingent, but they have changed the mantra this time and have got some exciting Indian talent.

Towards the end of the auction, Royals had to complete their overseas backups and they roped in some excellent additions for their base prices. The likes of Rassie van der Dussen, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Daryl Mitchell have done it on the biggest of stages and can be crucial to the plans of the franchise going forward.

Meanwhile, here’s the predicted Playing XI of Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2022 Match 5

Openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler is definitely among the certainties at the top of the order for the Rajasthan Royals as the English batter has played some outstanding innings in the last few seasons of IPL. The right-hander has the ability to win games on his own and is one of the best in the business when it comes to T20 cricket. He scored an excellent century last year and can be very destructive in the powerplay.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be the opening partner for Buttler after being retained ahead of the mega auction. Jaiswal showed glimpses of his potential towards the end of the last season and the 20-year-old is expected to set the stage on fire this year. The left-hander has played just 13 IPL games so far scoring 289 runs at an average of 22.2 and an extended run of chances might just bring the best out of him.

Middle Order – Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer

Devdutt Padikkal was bought by the Rajasthan Royals franchise for INR 7.75 Crore in the mega auction after a bidding war. The left-hander although has played most of his IPL career at the top of the order but might get a new role at number three for the Royals. The Karnataka lad scored his maiden IPL century last year for RCB and is seen as the future of the Indian side as well.

Sanju Samson will have to bat one position lower than he does always but will be looking to adapt to the role at number four. The right-hander had a terrific season last year captaining the franchise and he was in good form in the recent T20Is against Sri Lanka as well. A good season this year in IPL might just propel his chances of making it to the T20 World Cup 2022.

Shimron Hetmyer was brought into the franchise for INR 8.5 Crore and he can have a big impact in the middle order. The left-hander played really well in the finisher role for Delhi Capitals last year and won the side couple of games on his own. He is a prolific six-hitter and is likely to take up the role of a destructive finisher for the franchise coming in at five.

All-rounders – Riyan Parag, James Neesham, Ravi Ashwin

Riyan Parag has become one of the familiar names in the Rajasthan Royals setup since the 2019 edition and has been playing some vital knocks in the middle order. The youngster will still look to improve on his consistency but definitely has the goods in him. He possesses a lot of calmness and can contribute with the ball as well along with his brilliant fielding skills.

James Neesham will come into the playing XI to add balance as the side has a wide gaping hole at number seven and he will have competition from the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Coulter Nile. Jimmy Neesham had a decent T20 World Cup 2021 but is yet to fire in the cash-rich tournament despite getting enough opportunities.

R Ashwin was one of the best picks for the Rajasthan Royals in this mega auction as the off-spinner had been in really good form for India as well as in IPL. He might not have taken a lot of wickets but he definitely can get the breakthroughs at difficult times and can bowl at any stage of the game given his experience.

Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna

Yuzvendra Chahal and Ashwin will be one of the best spin duos of the IPL this year. The leg spinner has played all his cricket in IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and this will be his first stint for a different team. He has been in great form for India in the recent T20 internationals and can be a game-changer in the middle overs especially.

Trent Boult is a proven customer in IPL and has played a vital role for the Mumbai Indians in their successful campaign in IPL 2019 and 2020. The left-arm seamer can swing it both ways with the new ball and can hit the yorkers in the death overs as well. He will bring a lot of experience into the seam attack for Rajasthan Royals.

Prasidh Krishna has grown leaps and bounds in the last two years in the international circuit and in the IPL, and he is expected to have a breakout season this year. The right-arm quick can generate good speeds at ease and has the knack of taking wickets at crucial times as well. He will have a lot to learn with an experienced campaigner like Boult from the other end.