Rajasthan Royals suffered one of their most embarrassing defeats on home soil last night at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium against defending champions Gujarat Titans. Hardik Pandya’s GT outplayed RR in all three departments and recorded a nine-wicket win with 37 balls to spare.
Playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, RR captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision did not work in his team’s favor as the Royals got all out for just 118 runs. In reply, GT chased 119 runs in just 13.5 overs, riding on brilliant knocks from Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya.
RR will play their next match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. Here’s a list of three changes RR should make to return to the winning ways.
1. Joe Root in for Devdutt Padikkal
Rajasthan Royals have benched former England captain Joe Root so far in IPL 2023. Root has enormous experience under his belt and can be a better option in the middle-order than Devdutt Padikkal, who has done a much better job as an opener for his previous team in the IPL.
If RR cannot use Padikkal as an opener, they should play a specialist middle-order batter in his place, and Root is the best candidate to take that place.
2. Abdul Basith in for Riyan Parag
Abdul Basith is an uncapped all-rounder present in the RR squad for the ongoing season. RR have backed Riyan Parag so much, but he is yet to repay the team management’s faith. Perhaps, giving Basith opportunities could help the Royals unearth a new talent.
3. Murugan Ashwin/Navdeep Saini in for Adam Zampa/Jason Holder
RR’s fourth overseas player has either been Adam Zampa or Jason Holder, depending on the conditions. Since Root will occupy an overseas spot, both Zampa and Holder will go out, with Murugan Ashwin and Navdeep Saini being decent replacements for them.
