Rajasthan Royals (RR), a team known for its thrilling performances and ability to unearth cricketing gems, are facing a daunting challenge in the IPL 2025 season. With the tournament reaching its crucial phase, the Royals find themselves in a precarious position, and a playoff berth seems increasingly unlikely.
RR have won just two out their 9 group-stage matches and need to pull off a miracle to win all their remaining five matches.
Why Rajasthan Royals might miss out on the IPL 2025 playoffs? Here are the 3 big reasons
1. Inconsistent middle-order Performance
One of the most glaring issues for Rajasthan Royals has been the inconsistency of their middle-order batting. While the top order, featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana, has often provided explosive starts, the middle order has struggled to capitalize on this momentum.
Lack of stability: The frequent changes in batting positions and the inability of key players to consistently deliver has created a sense of instability. This has led to collapses and missed opportunities to close out matches. Players like Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer, who are expected to provide impetus in the middle overs, have not been able to do so consistently.
Pressure on top order: The failure of the middle order has also put immense pressure on the top order to score a bulk of the runs. This has sometimes led to rash decision-making and early dismissals, further compounding the team’s woes.
Finishing Woes: The absence of a reliable finisher has hurt the Royals in close encounters. The team has struggled to accelerate in the death overs, often falling short of competitive totals or failing to chase down targets. Dhruv Jurel showed promise in the previous season, but he has struggled to replicate that form consistently in IPL 2025.
2. Bowling department lacks consistency
Another major concern for Rajasthan Royals is the inconsistency within their bowling attack. While they possess some quality bowlers, their collective performance has lacked the cutting edge needed to win consistently in the IPL.
Over-reliance on key bowlers: The Royals have been heavily reliant on a few key bowlers, such as Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma. While these bowlers have delivered at times, the lack of consistent support from the other bowlers has made the attack predictable.
Lack of wicket-taking spin: The spin department, which was considered a strength in previous seasons, has not been as effective in IPL 2025. The bowlers have struggled to take wickets in the middle overs, allowing opposition batsmen to build partnerships and put pressure on the team. Wanindu Hasaranga has shown glimpses of his talent, but he hasn’t been consistent enough.
Leakage of runs: The bowling attack has often leaked runs, especially in the death overs. The inability to execute under pressure and a lack of variety in the bowling have allowed opposition batsmen to score freely. This has put immense pressure on the batters to chase down large totals.
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3. Questionable captaincy and team selections
Captaincy and team selection have also come under scrutiny, with some decisions raising eyebrows among fans and experts.
Tactical errors: There have been instances where the captain’s on-field decisions have been questionable. Some tactical errors, such as bowling changes and field placements, have cost the team crucial matches.
Inconsistent selections: The team management has struggled to find the right balance in the playing XI. Frequent changes in the lineup and the lack of clarity in player roles have created uncertainty within the team.
Lack of adaptability: The team has sometimes appeared to lack adaptability to different playing conditions and opposition strategies. This has made them vulnerable in certain situations and prevented them from capitalizing on opportunities. The absence of skipper Sanju Samson in a few matches due to injury also impacted the team balance.
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