Rajasthan Royals lost against Kolkata Knight Riders to bow out from IPL 2021. They finished last on the points table after their last league game against KKR as they ended with 12 points. RR won some close matches and brought out some excellent performances throughout the season.
However, they faltered at the final hurdle before the playoffs, losing two of their last four games by big margins to hamper their chances of playoffs qualification. The last game against Kolkata was a one-sided affair with Rajasthan failing to live up to their potential.
Chasing 192 runs set by Eoin Morgan & Co, the Steve Smith-led side could only manage 131; thus losing the game by 60 runs. With their season done and dusted we look at 5 players RR might release ahead of IPL 2021.
5 players Rajasthan Royals (RR) Might Release Ahead of IPL 2021:
5. Robin Uthappa
Rajasthan Royals paid 3 crores for Robin Uthappa in the IPL 2020 auction. Their search for an experienced Indian opener made them believed in Uthappa’s prowess but he failed big time. He scored 196 runs from 12 games at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate less than 120.
This was the first season that the Karnataka batsman failed to register even a single 50-plus score in his campaign. This is the third straight year from IPL 2018, that Uthappa has had diminishing returns in the tournament. With lack of form and age catching up, Uthappa might be released ahead of the next IPL by the franchise.
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4. Andrew Tye
The 2018 Purple Cap winner Andrew Tye played just one match for the Royals this season. He picked up just one wicket in the match. He was benched for the remainder of the season. With Royals persisting with Jofra Archer as their overseas specialist pacer, it breaks other foreign players to get into the side.
It is likely that Tye might be released next season with him not getting a place in the XI keeping in mind the team combination. Tye was roped in for 1 crore at the IPL 2020 auction.
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3. Oshane Thomas
Thomas was retained ahead of IPL 2020 auctions but benched for the entire season. The young Windies pacer was roped in by the franchise 1.5 crores ahead of IPL 2019 but benched entirely for the next season.
He too like Tye found it rough to replace Archer as a specialist pacer in the line-up. With the franchise looking for an overhaul as it is before the next season, Thomas might be axed from the season.
2. Varun Aaron
Aaron is one of the most experienced Indian pacers to have played the IPL. Over the years he has played for a couple of franchises but failed to make an impact. Unfortunately, it was the same with the Royals after he joined the side.
He played three games and wasn’t able to pick even a single wicket in the games that he played. 11.75 was his economy in the games that he played for the Royals. An unproductive season might well see him released by the franchise ahead of IPL 2021.
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1. Mayank Markande
Markande was traded by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2020. However, the young Punjab spinner failed to get a game throughout the entire season. He was the find in IPL 2018 as he played for Mumbai Indians and picked 15 wickets.
He was traded by the franchise to the Royals, who couldn’t give him a game. Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia performed well with the ball for the Royals, which saw Markande not being picked for the side. With his inclusion in the playing XI difficult in the next seasons, Markande might well be shown the door ahead of IPL 2021.
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