Wasim Jaffer highlighted Rajasthan Royals’ struggles after losing key players, leaving gaps in the team’s core lineup.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has expressed concern over Rajasthan Royals’ poor performance in IPL 2025, stating that the team looks like a shadow of its former self after releasing four to five core players. Jaffer believes that letting go of key players such as Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin has left significant gaps in the lineup. “RR look a shadow of last season. Letting go of Buttler, Boult, Yuzi, and Ash—core gun players—left big boots to fill,” Jaffer tweeted on Wednesday night.
Rajasthan, the champions of the inaugural IPL season, have suffered two successive defeats, first to Sunrisers Hyderabad and then to Kolkata Knight Riders. After these losses, they are at the bottom of the points table with a net run rate of -1.88.
Rajasthan’s campaign started on a poor note, conceding the second-highest total in IPL history against Hyderabad at their home ground. Their woes continued against Kolkata, where Quinton de Kock’s magnificent 97* off 61 balls guided KKR to a comfortable eight-wicket win on a challenging Barsapara pitch.
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Opting to bowl first, KKR’s spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) and Moeen Ali (2/23) restricted Rajasthan to 151/9. De Kock then anchored the chase with controlled aggression, hitting eight boundaries and six sixes, ensuring Kolkata reached the target in 17.3 overs.
Although Kolkata lost Moeen Ali (5) and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (18) early, De Kock held one end firm, supported by young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who contributed 22 runs from 17 balls. Rajasthan will aim to bounce back when they face Chennai Super Kings in their next match on Sunday, March 30, in Guwahati.
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