IPL 2021 will return to its original window of April-May later this year as the pre-season transfer window and the player retention deadline have been set for the upcoming season. There were many rumors circulating that the BCCI would conduct a mega-auction and introduce a new team before IPL 2021.
However, the BCCI has decided to include two new franchises and organize a mega-auction in the year 2022 now. Not many players will return to the auction pool in IPL 2021 because it is a mini-auction only. However, the Rajasthan Royals will look forward to making some tough calls ahead of the next season.
The Rajasthan Royals released their captain Ajinkya Rahane before IPL 2020. The Jaipur-based franchise traded him to the Delhi Capitals and got Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia. While that trade was beneficial to the Rajasthan Royals when one compares the performances of Rahane and the other two players. However, the Royals missed Rahane’s leadership in IPL 2020.
Even though the Rajasthan Royals did not have Steve Smith’s services in IPL 2018, Ajinkya Rahane had taken them to the playoffs. Unfortunately, Steve Smith could not replicate the same performance as the RR captain as the franchise finished at the last position on the IPL 2020 Points Table. Courtesy of this finish, the team management is reportedly planning to release Smith before the auction.
The Rajasthan Royals did not have much flexibility in their overseas lineup as Smith, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer are guaranteed starters. By releasing Smith, RR could be more flexible in their overseas department. Besides, the franchise wants an Indian leader and Sanju Samson is the reported front-runner for that position.
Among the other foreign players, Stokes, Archer, and Buttler are unlikely to lose their contracts. Even Tom Curran might get another contract because he did a decent job as an all-rounder. Also, Curran has played many T20 games across the world. Andrew Tye, Oshane Thomas, and David Miller did not play much in IPL 2020. It would be harsh to release the three foreign stars before giving them enough opportunities.
Shifting our focus to the Indian players now, Ankit Rajpoot, Varun Aaron, and Jaydev Unadkat could return to the auction pool. All three Indian fast bowlers did not have a memorable IPL 2020 campaign. RR have released Unadkat twice from their squad before and bought him back at a lower price.
With Kartik Tyagi and Akash Singh available to support Jofra Archer, Tom Curran, Oshane Thomas, and Andrew Tye, RR might not mind releasing the aforementioned trio of fast bowlers. Shreyas Gopal had an impressive IPL 2019, but his performance dipped in IPL 2020. His Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy numbers will likely determine his position in the RR squad for IPL 2021.
Mayank Markande and Manan Vohra did not get a single game, while Riyan Parag and Mahipal Lomror did well in a couple of games. Robin Uthappa looked good as an opener, and Yashasvi Jaiswal might stay at the franchise despite a forgettable debut season. Shashank Singh, Anirudha Joshi, and Anuj Rawat warmed the bench for the entire IPL 2020 season. So, it is unlikely RR might bid them farewell before giving them a chance.
Players RR might retain: Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Andrew Tye, Kartik Tyagi, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Mayank Markande, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, Akash Singh, Jofra Archer, David Miller, Jos Buttler, Manan Vohra, Shashank Singh, Tom Curran, Robin Uthappa, Anirudha Joshi
Players RR might release: Steve Smith, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron
