The Rajasthan Royals were the first IPL franchise to win the Indian Premier League trophy. The Royals won the championship under Shane Warne’s captaincy during the 2008 season. However, they have been unable to replicate that feat after the 2008 IPL season. In fact, they have never reached the IPL Final since then.
The Rajasthan Royals initially believed in investing in the youth. However, of late, the franchise has targeted some big names at the auction. They have been successful in signing some world-class names. Unfortunately, they have also missed out on some match-winners at the auction.
Here’s a list of the five star players the Rajasthan Royals wished to sign but they couldn’t.
1. Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu had been a part of the Mumbai Indians team until the 2017 IPL season. The right-handed batsman was an important member of the team, and he won multiple championships with MI.
However, Mumbai released him before the mega auction in 2018. At that time, three teams namely Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were interested in signing Rayudu. As we all know, CSK signed Rayudu eventually for INR 2 crore.
2. Ben Dwarshuis
Australian fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis was a surprise element of the IPL Auction 2018. The Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals participated in an intense bidding war to sign Dwarshuis.
His base price in the auction was just 20 lakh. However, because of the bidding war between Punjab and Rajasthan, he ended up with a contract worth INR 1.4 crore from the Mohali-based franchise.
3. Marcus Stoinis could have been playing for Rajasthan Royals now
Marcus Stoinis entered the 2020 IPL Auction with a base price of 1 crore. Initially, there was not much interest for the Aussie all-rounder. However, when Delhi Capitals raised their peddle, Rajasthan Royals decided to join in.
The two teams bid continuously and eventually the price reached 4.20 crore. RR tried their best to sign Stoinis. However, their 4 crore bid was not enough to secure his services.
4. Sheldon Cottrell
West Indies’ left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell entered the IPL 2020 Auction with a base price of INR 50 lakh. The Caribbean star had done well in the T20 competitions.
As a result, multiple IPL franchises were keen to sign him at the auction. RR, DC and Punjab bid for Cottrell at the auction, where Punjab prevailed with a 8.50 crore bid. Unfortunately, that signing did not prove so good for Punjab.
5. Rohit Sharma was on the wishlist of Rajasthan Royals in 2011
There was a mega auction in the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League. All ten franchises had to prepare a wishlist of the probable names they wanted to target at the auction.
Rohit Sharma was a common name present on almost every wishlist, including that of the Rajasthan Royals. However, the Mumbai Indians eventually got the services of Rohit.
One can only imagine what could have happened had Rajasthan signed Rohit at that time. Maybe, the Royals could have been more successful in terms of title wins. However, it seems unlikely that the Royals will ever get the services of Rohit in IPL.
