Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener turned commentator has picked his all-time Rajasthan Royals (RR) XI consisting of former and present players who represented the franchise since 2008. But Steve Smith and Ben Stokes are a couple of the prominent names who could not find a place in the squad due to limitations as only 4 foreigners are allowed to feature in the final 11 member squad in an IPL match.
Aakash Chopra mentioned that he faced difficulty to put together eleven names of the squad and picked only 4 foreigners in the 11 member team.
In the past, Rajasthan Royals have won the IPL when Shane Warne led them in the inaugural season in 2008. They have been served by several prominent star cricketers like Rahul Dravid in 2011-2013, James Faulkner in 2013-2015, Stuart Binny from 2011 to 2014, Brad Hodge in 2012-2014, Ravindra Jadeja in 2009 and others.
Aakash Chopra Picks Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson As Openers And Jos Buttler As Wicket-keeper
The reputed commentator, however, mentioned that the Rajasthan-based franchise’s star performers have mostly been their foreign players and only a few Indian players could prove their talents since 2008, thereby making it tough to form the final XI.
“Over the years RR’s performers have always been overseas players, whether it is batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders. You can only see a handful of Indian players.”
Aakash Chopra picked openers Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson with both of them playing their trade for other franchises currently. Both of them are among the most capped players for Rajasthan Royals, with Ajinkya Rahane appearing so far in 63 and Shane Watson in 74 matches. Shane Watson scored over 2000 runs and picked up 61 wickets when he represented the franchise from 2008-2014.
“I am starting with Ajinkya Rahane along with Shane Watson, who is now playing for Chennai Super Kings while Rahane is with Delhi. But I have to keep them in the all-time Rajasthan team.”
Aakash Chopra picked Jos Buttler who has played for RR in 2018 and 2019 as his wicket-keeper-batsman at the No. 3 slot in the squad besides observing that he had already spent a couple of his foreigner options.
“After that will be Jos Buttler, this is where the problem is as I have picked two overseas players in the top three. Buttler is outstanding and will also be my wicketkeeper.”
The former opener who played for KKR in only the first season in 2008 noticed that the presence of several all-rounders is one of the positives in the RR lineup.
“These are my top 3 players and all are explosive players. Watson’s bowling performance has also been top-class. One thing good about them is that they have lots of all-rounders.”
Shane Watson who is a former Australian all-rounder is a vital part of CSK after playing for RR and RCB.
Aakash Chopra Picks Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi And Yusuf Pathan In Middle Order
Sanju Samson, who also is a wicket-keeper was the next batsman in Aakash Chopra’s all-time RR XI. The 42-year-old commentator observed that he would have liked to include former Australian captain Steve Smith as well but that would have given him no choice but to leave out their most successful leg spinner Australian Shane Warne.
“At No.4, I have got Sanju Samson which makes it two Indian players. I was trying to fit Steve Smith in somehow but only two overseas spots are left and who would be bowling in that case. So, I couldn’t include him.”
Aakash Chopra mentioned that Rahul Tripathi was the best option that was available for the No. 5 spot with the other alternatives being Stuart Binny but he could not even include England all-rounder Ben Stokes in this RR all-time XI, considering the balance of the squad and the fact that Shane Warne would be picked as captain.
“At No.5, after searching a lot the best I could find is Rahul Tripathi. Stuart Binny was the other option but because I am looking for a No.5 batsman, I have kept Rahul Tripathi.”
Rahul Tripathi represented Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017 and Rajasthan Royals in 2018 and 2019 before being picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming IPL 2020 at UAE. Stuart Binny represented RR in 50 matches but performed moderately, while Swapnil Asnodkar and Ashok Maneria were inconsistent.
“Even if you keep anyone like Maneria or Asnodkar, you will say he is not a very good choice at No.5. I could have kept Ben Stokes but then who would be bowling. So I couldn’t keep him as well.”
Yusuf Pathan was his final pick as a batsman, with the Baroda all-rounder also capable of bowling spin.
“At No.6, I have kept Yusuf Pathan. He is definitely going to be there and will bowl a little as well.”
Yusuf Pathan represented the RR franchise in 43 matches from 2008 to 2010 and scored over 1000 runs besides picking up 20 wickets.
Aakash Chopra’s Selection Of Bowlers In His All-time RR XI
Aakash Chopra opted for Shane Warne as the captain of his all-time RR XI. He was the definite choice as he captained RR in the most 56 matches and they won 31 of those.
Ravindra Jadeja who played for RR for only one year in 2009 was Aakash Chopra’s pick as a bowling all-rounder at the No. 7 position, besides noting that he is an important member of CSK squad in present times.
“At No.7, I have got Ravindra Jadeja who spent his initial years with RR although he is a settled player in CSK now.”
Aakash Chopra picked Shane Warne as the captain of this all-time RR XI, considering the extraordinary job he had done in the initial years of IPL including leading them to their only title in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.
“I have made Shane Warne the captain of this team. He had done a very good job as a captain and bowler in the initial years that he had played.”
The former Delhi opener mentioned that he had difficulty picking a couple of Indian bowlers who could make the final squad. Aakash Chopra opted for Siddharth Trivedi as one of the two Indian pacers while adding that he could not accommodate James Faulkner as well since only four foreigners could be picked.
“I still need two Indian bowlers in the last three spots. I didn’t find high quality Indian bowlers even after searching.”
“So I have kept Siddharth Trivedi. He was not express but that’s the kind of bowlers these guys have picked. James Faulkner could have been there but I couldn’t pick him as well.”
Munaf Patel, who also represented India was Aakash Chopra’s final Indian pick in his all-time RR XI. The latter suggested that he could have picked James Faulkner instead of one of the two Indian pacers Siddharth Trivedi or Munaf Patel and picked Shreyas Gopal in place of Shane Warne.
“At No.10, I have kept Munaf Patel. The other option could have been to play Faulkner in place of Trivedi or Munaf Patel and play Shreyas Gopal instead of Warne.”
Munaf Patel picked up 33 wickets from 31 matches he played for the franchise from 2008-2012, while James Faulkner picked up 45 wickets from 35 matches. Siddharth Trivedi picked up 65 wickets from 76 matches at an average of 29.29 while playing for them till 2013 from 2008.
Aakash Chopra picked up Jofra Archer of England as the last overseas player.
“At No.11, I have got Jofra Archer. This is the best that I can do for Rajasthan Royals.”
Jofra Archer has played in 21 IPL matches where he has picked up 26 wickets averaging 23.69.
Aakash Chopra’s all-time RR XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Warne (c), Siddharth Trivedi, Munaf Patel, Jofra Archer