Strong Batting, Young energy, but bowling concerns remain for Rajasthan ?

Rajasthan Royals (RR) are entering IPL 2026 with a fresh look. The biggest change is the exit of Sanju Samson and the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja. While Samson’s long journey with the team has come to an end, Jadeja’s return brings experience and balance. At the same time, Riyan Parag has been given the captaincy, marking a new beginning for the franchise.

RR have also made big changes in their bowling attack. Last season, they were statistically the worst bowling side, so a revamp was expected. They released key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana and brought in Indian spinners like Ravi Bishnoi, Vignesh Puthur and Yash Raj Punja. In pace bowling too, several players were replaced, with names like Sushant Mishra, Kuldeep Sen and Adam Milne added as backups. However, the main bowling responsibility will still be on players like Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma.

This team has a very clear identity, young, energetic, and fearless. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lead the batting at the top, while Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Ravi Bishnoi form a strong young Indian core. The only senior figure in the squad is Jadeja, who brings experience and calmness to the group.

One of RR’s biggest strengths is their powerplay batting. Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi were outstanding last season, scoring 422 runs together in just seven partnerships. They averaged over 60 and scored at a run rate of 12.17, giving the team explosive starts. With Shimron Hetmyer likely to bat at number three, the top order looks even stronger.

The biggest player for RR this season will be Yashasvi Jaiswal. After Samson’s exit, he is now the main batter of the team. In 2025, he scored 559 runs at a strike rate of nearly 160. However, being out of India’s T20 team gives him extra motivation to prove himself. If he can score more than 600 runs this season, RR can become serious title contenders.

Another exciting player to watch is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 14 years old, he has already achieved a lot  including a brilliant U19 World Cup performance, a century in domestic T20 cricket, and a score of 190 in a 50-over match. IPL 2026 could be a big stage for him to shine again.

However, RR’s biggest concern is their bowling. Even after changes, the attack still looks uncertain. Jofra Archer’s recent form is not very convincing, and Sandeep Sharma is the only experienced Indian pacer. Most of the other bowlers are either young or not fully proven at the IPL level.

The spin attack also lacks experience. Ravi Bishnoi is still improving, while others have very little exposure at this level. This means RR will depend heavily on Ravindra Jadeja to control the game with the ball.

Another setback is the absence of Sam Curran, who would have added balance to the team. His replacement, Dasun Shanaka, may not offer the same impact.

One key match to watch will be RR vs CSK, where Samson and Jadeja will face their former teams. It will also be Riyan Parag’s first home game as full-time captain, making it a special contest.

In the end, Rajasthan Royals have a team full of talent and energy. Their batting can win matches on its own, especially with strong starts in the powerplay. But their bowling still looks like a weak area.

If RR can fix their bowling issues, they have the potential to go far. But if the problems continue, they may struggle to defend totals. IPL 2026 could be a season where RR either surprise everyone or fall short because of the same old issues.

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