IPL 2023: Joe Root’s addition to Rajasthan Royals adds heft to already buffed-up batting line-up

RR began their IPL 2022 campaign by retaining skipper Sanju Samson (₹14 crores), Jos Buttler (₹10 crores), and Yashaswi Jaiswal (₹4 crores). Jason Holder, a promising West Indies all-rounder, was Rajasthan’s greatest acquisition at the IPL 2023 auction. The franchise paid ₹5.75 crores to sign him. The Royals additionally purchased proficient England batter Joe Root for ₹1 crore and Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa for ₹1.5 crore.

With tough openers, a commanding middle order, and potent finishers, Rajasthan Royals’ batting order is arguably the best in the IPL this season. This year, Buttler is anticipated to once again serve as the foundation of the team’s batting order. Homegrown talents such as Jaiswal, Padikkal, Parag, and skipper Samson would be expected to back the prolific batter.

Now, with the addition of another Englishman Root, the explosive batting line-up for the Royals gets all the more mighty.

“I’ll try and be myself as much as I can and try to be unpredictable for bowlers. I am sure I will smile and enjoy it, and will try to get the best out of myself,” said a fierce-looking Root ahead of his debut season.

Sunsets, scoops & SMS. Rooting for this combo. 😍💗 pic.twitter.com/EK90VuyxoY

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 27, 2023

The blistering attack of Prasidh Krishna-Trent Boult and the stealthy combo of Yuzvendra Chahal-R Ashwin, who both excelled in their campaign last year, have earned the Royals quite a reputation in the bowling department as well.

The Royals will want another remarkable run this season; the addition of Kiwi spearhead Boult and Navdeep Saini’s presence strengthens the pace assault and with Jason Holder’s services, the lack of a fifth bowling option might be allayed, making their attack even more formidable.

When it comes to the impact player, RR have multiple options available at their disposal. As the pitches begin to wear down in the second half of the season, clubbing Murugan Ashwin or KC Cariappa alongside the Chahal-Ashwin combination is a viable option.

Playing Obed McCoy is also an appealing possibility, which might be considered to improve the pace attack in the early games. Here, Samson and Parag’s performance is crucial because they would need to start with an international player less if they were to import a foreign player to serve as the impact player.

Squad: Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vashisht, Abdul P A, Joe Root