Aakash Chopra opens up on Rajasthan Royals’ potential challenges in IPL 2025, says replacements aren’t close to released players

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Rajasthan Royals’ potential challenges for the upcoming IPL 2025. While the inaugural champions decided to retain Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer, they had to let go of Jos Buttler, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult.

RR were able to retain the aforementioned sextet for a total amount of INR 79 crore before the auction. Chopra noted that RR could not rope in the same quality of players they decided to release.

“They lost four players in the auction. They decided not to retain Buttler, and Boult, Chahal and Ashwin went apart from him. When so many such kinds of players leave, you ask how you would replace them. The replacements aren’t even close to them,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator highlighted that barring Shimron Hetmyer, RR has an India-centric batting line-up.

“It’s a completely Indian batting lineup (apart from Shimron Hetmyer). You had retained your entire batting lineup. You didn’t make any additions. You added just Nitish Rana and you didn’t pick any overseas batter. So an entire Indian batting lineup and no course correction or addition in the auction, slightly surprising from my point of view,” he observed.

Chopra pointed out that RR lacks the services of a quality all-rounder in their squad.

“Another thing that was troubling me last year was that every team used to have an extra batter and bowler after the Impact Player rule was introduced as they had one or two all-rounders, but this team did not have any. It seemed like they were playing with six batters and five bowlers. They find themselves in a similar position again,” he said.

The cricket analyst said Wanindu Hasaranga is yet to prove his mettle with the bat in the IPL.

“I am surprised how that happened after a mega auction. You are considering Wanindu Hasaranga as an all-rounder. He is not really an all-rounder at the IPL level yet. He might have a great season this time. However, thus far he has done very well with the ball from time to time, but as a batter, he has not fired,” Chopra observed.

RR will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 23rd March.