Since its introduction in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has thrown many surprises. The 1st edition itself was a big surprise when Rajasthan Royals won the title against all odds under the dynamic leadership of Shane Warne. Over the years IPL has provided a perfect platform for some lesser-known players to showcase their talent, ultimately helping them to highlight their calibre at the highest level. IPL has made stars out of ordinary players.
This season too we might witness some of the lesser-known players attract the spotlight. In this article, we are about to discuss five not-so-popular Royals’ players who could be vital for the side. Although Royals could be the underdogs they have got the right balance in every department.
Rajasthan Royals has got the depth and the bench strength to challenge any team. Andrew Mc Donald and the team management has to pick the right combinations keeping in mind the opposition’s game plan.
Skipper Steve Smith needs to bring the best out of the younger players. The players which we will be analysing are not heavyweights but have got the skills to win the game for their side.
We take a look at 5 underrated players who can help Rajasthan Royals win the IPL 2020.
Manan Vohra
The 27-year-old is capable of changing his game as per the situation. Vohra has shown fine technique while playing on fast as well as slow wickets. Vohra is strong on both sides of the wickets and can accelerate the scoring when needed.
The Punjab batsman can find gaps with his delightful drives and timing. Vohra is equally strong while playing pull shots. Vohra can judge the length of a particular delivery quickly which helps him to play his shots freely.
Vohra has scored 1012 runs in 49 IPL games with a strike rate of 131.77 and has 3 half-centuries to his name. Vohra can accumulate runs quickly with his attacking style of play.
Shreyas Gopal
The Karnataka all-rounder can be a handy lower-order batsman and can bowl decent leg-spin. Gopal can play an attacking game and can play the big shots when needed. Gopal is quick while running between the wickets and can rotate the strike cleverly.
The 26-year-old can place the ball beautifully in the gaps with his effortless drives and square cuts. Gopal is a handy leg spinner who can outsmart the batsmen with his variations and quick leg breaks.
The wily customer quite deceptive when flighting the ball and can make the batsmen commit mistakes with his length.
Gopal’s googly is hard to pick while his faster ones can hurry the batsmen. His strike rate in domestic T20 career is 120.4 in 31 games which proves quite impressive while his strike rate in 31 IPL games is 107.6. Gopal has taken 38 wickets in 31 games in his IPL career and his domestic T20 career comprises of 78 wickets.
Gopal has picked a hat-trick in February 2014 while playing against Rest of India in the Irani Trophy final.
Shashank Singh
The 28-year-old is a complete package due to his all-round abilities. Shashank Singh can hit the ball a long way with his power and timing. The all-rounder is not afraid to play big shots and is known for his clean hitting. The Chattisgarh player can split the gaps with his powerful drives.
The promising youngster can bowl fine off-breaks and can contain the batsmen with his accuracy. Shashank Singh can toss the ball cleverly which can outfox the batsmen to play rash shots.
Shashank’s strike rate in 22 T20 domestic appearances is 141.1 and has seven wickets to his name. Shashank Singh is also a decent fielder which makes him a vital component of the outfit.
Mahipal Lomror
The left-hander can hammer any bowling line up on his day with his aggressive style of play. Lomror was praised for his bright performances in the 2016 under-19 World Cup when India won the trophy.
The 21-year-old possesses fine hand-eye co-ordination on any surface and can change the game as per the nature of the wicket.
Lomror can smash the ball with his powerful cuts and back foot punches. Lomror can also bowl decent off-spin. Although the left-arm off-spinner is not a big turner of the ball, he can trouble the batsmen by bowling quicker through the air.
Lomror generally bowls off-breaks, keeping the batsmen in check with his tight line.
Lomror’s strike rate in 39 T20 domestic games is 117.9 and has taken 6 wickets. Lomror was the highest wicket-taker in the 2017-18 Ranji trophy season with 13 wickets in six games.
Lomror can hit the odd boundaries and sixes when the required rate is high which makes him even more dangerous.
Oshane Thomas
The 23-year-old can unsettle the batsmen with his pace and quick bouncers. Thomas can hit the deck hard and can extract uneven bounce even on slow wickets.
The West Indian can bowl clever leg-cutters which are hard to pick and can swing the ball both ways. Thomas has taken 52 wickets in 36 domestic T20 games. Thomas has taken 15 wickets in 12 T20I.