The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are known for nurturing hidden gems into world-class players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). From Yusuf Pathan to Sanju Samson, the franchise has produced some of the biggest stars in India’s cricketing history.
However, some star players have come to RR with high expectations but haven’t lived up to the billing. In this article, we take a look at
5 reputed T20 players who couldn’t quite make an impact during their stint with the Rajasthan Royals(RR).
1. Robin Uthappa – The Underrated Player
Robin Uthappa is considered one of the most underrated players in the IPL. Despite playing for several teams, his best performance came in 2014 when he won the Orange Cap with 660 runs and helped Kolkata Knight Riders to their second IPL title.
Uthappa was expected to add experience to the RR batting line-up but was unable to do so. In IPL 2020, he played 12 games and scored only 196 runs at a low average of 16.33.
2. Aaron Finch – The Journeyman
Aaron Finch has played for nine IPL teams, but never really cemented his place in any of them. However, at his peak, he was the No.1 ranked T20I batter in the world.
Finch played just one game for the Royals back in 2010, scoring 21 runs. He didn’t get consistent opportunities and was eventually moved on by the franchise.
3. Ross Taylor – The Unfulfilled Promise
Ross Taylor is one of the most prolific batsmen produced by New Zealand and made a name for himself as an overseas superstar for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. After a sub-par IPL 2010 season, the Royals picked him up in the auction.
However, Taylor could only score 181 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 119.07 and never represented the Royals again. In his autobiography, he made some shocking revelations about his time at RR that may have impacted his performances.
4. Morne Morkel – The Unfulfilled Potential
Morne Morkel was one of the best overseas bowlers in the IPL, especially during his time with the Delhi Daredevils and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, not many know that Morkel was first with the Rajasthan Royals during the 2009 and 2010 editions of the tournament, where he played four games and didn’t pick up a single wicket. He later left RR for Delhi and picked up a total of 38 wickets in the next two seasons.
5. David Miller – The Missed Opportunity
David Miller is currently one of the most in-form finishers in white-ball cricket. He redeemed himself with the Gujarat Titans last season, scoring 481 runs in 16 games and helping them win their maiden IPL title.
It hurts the Royals even more that Miller wasn’t able to replicate such form when he was with them during IPL 2020 and 2021. In 10 games, he scored just 124 runs, but he can’t be blamed completely for the inconsistent chances that came his way. With the Royals having a top-heavy batting line-up, an in-form Miller could have made a massive difference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rajasthan Royals have been known for nurturing world-class players from hidden gems, but some star players haven’t lived up to the billing during their stint with the franchise. From Robin Uthappa to David Miller, these five reputed T20 players couldn’t quite make an impact with the Royals.