Indian Premier League: The Rajasthan Blues - Saga of the Royal Underachievers
Rajasthan Royals are perhaps the most likeable lot of the Indian Premier League. Every Indian fan connects with them, loves them and rates them very highly but strictly on cricketing basis, they have been below par with their performances over the past few years.
Begin the season on a high, unleash a couple of Indian youngsters, raise the hopes of the fans, crash out playing ordinary cricket -- Rajasthan Royals have been stuck in that loop since 2009.
Rajasthan Royals were ousted of the 2015 Indian Premier League by Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday night. Watching Steve Smith's men collapse against Bangalore showcased the mediocrity of the Rajasthan unit, once again. (Rajasthan Royals Thumped by Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Take a look at their IPL performances over the last few years.
They won the inaugural season under Shane Warne. Since then, 2009 -- Group stage, 2010 -- Group stage, 2011 -- Group stage, 2012 -- Group stage, 2013 -- Play-offs, 2014 -- Group stage, 2015 - Play-offs.
Not a pretty picture, is it? (IPL Gallery)
Rajasthan Royals are perhaps the most likeable lot of the IPL -- every Indian fan connects with them, loves them and rates them very highly but strictly on cricketing basis, they have been below par with their performances over the past few years. Not only have they failed to step up on the big occasions, but also haven't been able to progress as a franchise.
They have made the wrong moves in the auctions and have naivety cloud their judgment. (Complete IPL Coverage)
Promoting Indian talent
Rajasthan's biggest USP is their motto of promoting the Indian youth.
But where is that Indian talent going? The question haunts. Except Ajinkya Rahane, none from the Rajasthan franchise have made it to the big stage.
In fact, someone like Sanju Samson has taken a backward step - in 2014, the talented wicketkeeper-batsman scored 339 in 13 games, whilst in 2015, his tally reads just 204 in 14 matches. From a top-order batsmen, he's been moved around and now, the Dhoni heir-apparent seems out of depth.
Appalling Auctions
The Royals have a legacy of recruiting unknown talent of all ages. They emphasis on buying players at cut prices and back them against the big money spinners. Some of them come off - Pravin Tambe for example, but the rest fall flat on their face.
This auctions, they picked up Chris Morris, Pardeep Sahu, Dinesh Salunkhe, B Singh Saran and Juan Theron. Good and cheap buys but no one expects them to ever play swashbuckling knocks or rip through sides to win a tournament on their own.
Who's team is it anyway?
© BCCI
Who is the Royals' captain? Shane Watson or Steve Smith?
Even the management is confused.
They started this season in flying style with Smith leading the team. They won four on the bounce. Then, Watson came back and the arm-band got passed over. The downward spiral started. Panic set in and the baton was passed back to Smith!
No team can be stable if there's a instability in leadership. The captaincy should have stayed with Smith, especially given the season he has had leading the Australians.
Lack of quality in squad
Rajasthan, over the years, have invested heavily in mediocrity. Buying players at low prices might increase the squad size but it comes at a cost of quality.
The Rajasthan bench is overloaded with 'one-game wonder' players. and the Menarias, the Trivedis, the Tewatias, the Yagniks and the Nayars come off the bench, put in one flash performance and then disappear without a blip in the radar.
This season saw the Royals waste resources as well. With James Faulkner hungover on World Cup success, Rajasthan could have easily fielded the likes of Rajat Bhatia and given Stuart Binny more exposure.
Rajat Bhatia is an experienced IPL player and has won many-a-games for the Knight Riders. The Delhi man didn't get a game, while Binny was severely underutilised.
'We don't need Superstars' theory
In a recent interview Rahul Dravid, the Royals' mentor, said that the Royals don't boast of superstars but let's the Indian talent take on the world.
Noble thought.
But superstars are sought after for a reason - they are match-winners too!
Even during the Shane Warne era, Rajasthan kept faith in youngsters but they were a flashy side brimming with flamboyance. They had the power of Watson, the wackiness of Sohail Tanvir, the unpredictability of Ravindra Jadeja and above all, they had the man himself, Shane Warne -- one of the biggest block-buster cricketers of his era.
Warne won games with his in-ur-face captaincy, his guile and his style. He led the side with infectious energy and the youngsters followed him blindly to win the hearts of one and many.
Since Warne's retirement, Rajasthan has lacked a leader and a true superstar. The power of Watson has waned and the Rahanes and the Southees can only win you games on good days. During the crunch, you need a man with an aura and style!
Looking ahead
Rajasthan need a change in philosophy -- invest in young talent but buy a superstar to lead them. They need to abandon their safety first approach and get adventurous, first in the auctions and then on the field. They need to move ahead as a franchise instead of just being a 'nursery' of local Indian talent.