The Rajasthan Royals have hit a serious slump in IPL 2025. After finishing as finalists in 2022 and clinching third place last season, the franchise has stumbled badly this year. With only two wins from their first eight matches, they find themselves in the bottom three of the points table. The team that once played bold and aggressive cricket is now struggling with clarity, confidence, and cohesion.
The signs of a troubled season were visible even before the first ball was bowled. From questionable auction decisions to tactical misfires on the field, a number of factors have contributed to the Royals’ fall from grace.
Here are five key reasons why the Rajasthan Royals are underperforming this season.
Shaky Decisions at the Auction and Retentions
Rajasthan’s problems began before the tournament with their auction strategy and retention calls. The franchise retained Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. While most of these names have been regular contributors, it was who they let go that raised questions.
The biggest surprise was the release of Jos Buttler. The English batter had won the Orange Cap in 2022 and scored two centuries in the previous season. Despite dealing with injuries, his presence in the squad gave the Royals a powerful top-order edge. Letting him go without securing a proper replacement was a risk that has clearly backfired.
Equally confusing was the decision to part ways with Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. The spin duo had been the backbone of RR’s bowling attack since 2022. Their ability to control the middle overs and pick up key wickets was a major asset. Releasing both at once stripped the team of vital experience and tactical variety.
Overseas Bowlers Not Delivering
The Royals heavily invested in their overseas bowling unit, hoping that a mix of pace and spin would compensate for the absence of seasoned Indian bowlers. They brought in Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and South African youngster Kwena Maphaka.
On paper, it looked like a well-rounded lineup. In reality, only Jofra Archer has lived up to expectations. The others have either leaked runs or failed to pick up wickets when it mattered most. Theekshana has lacked consistency. Hasaranga has struggled to make an impact. Farooqi has been unable to trouble batters early on. Maphaka has looked raw and underprepared for the demands of the league.
This weakness was glaring in their very first match of the season when they conceded a jaw-dropping 286 runs. Since then, the bowling attack has lacked bite and composure. Without dependable Indian options and with overseas players underperforming, the Royals have repeatedly failed to defend targets or stem the flow of runs.
Poor Recruitment and Unbalanced Squad
Another major issue is Rajasthan’s squad construction. They entered the season with only six overseas players, even though the tournament allows teams to have eight. This choice has severely limited their options when it comes to experimenting with combinations or replacing out-of-form players.
Shimron Hetmyer is their only overseas batter, and he has not been used in a top-order role where he could have done more damage. The Royals failed to find a like-for-like replacement for Buttler despite having access to high-quality options during the mega auction. Players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Phil Salt were available. Even KL Rahul, a top-order wicketkeeper batter with IPL experience, was up for grabs, but Rajasthan couldn’t secure them.
The lack of depth is evident in the way the playing eleven has been constructed. The team does not have a reliable overseas opener or a middle-order batter who can take control in pressure situations. Their options feel limited and predictable. The management seems to have placed its faith in a narrow core of players with little backup available.
Inconsistency from Parag and Samson
Heading into IPL 2025, Rajasthan expected big seasons from Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson. Parag had a breakthrough season last year, scoring 573 runs in 16 matches. He looked confident and ready to step into a senior role. Sanju Samson, meanwhile, entered the IPL on the back of three international T20 centuries as an opener. He was expected to lead the batting unit with maturity and aggression.
But the performances have not matched the expectations. Sanju has been in and out due to injuries, and though he has scored 224 runs in seven matches, his innings have lacked impact. He has not been able to dictate terms or anchor the team through challenging phases.
Parag has had a tougher time. He has been given the captaincy in Samson’s absence, and the additional responsibility has weighed him down. He has scored only 212 runs in eight games and has looked unsure at the crease. His timing has been off, and his shot selection has left fans frustrated. The pressure of leadership, combined with a lack of support from other senior players, has exposed cracks in his game.
Tactical Confusion and Poor Team Combinations
Perhaps the most visible on-field issue for Rajasthan has been their struggle to find the right team combination. They have been rigid in their structure, usually going with five frontline bowlers and six pure batters. This setup has left no room for all-rounders and has reduced their flexibility during matches.
The batting order has also lacked clarity. Youngsters like Dhruv Jurel and Shubham Dubey have been pushed into difficult roles with very little experience. They are expected to either rebuild or finish innings under pressure, which is a tall ask for players still finding their feet. Nitish Rana’s role has been unclear too, and his positioning in the lineup has not suited his strengths.
In the bowling department, they are struggling to find a settled combination. With names like Archer, Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Farooqi all competing for limited spots, the team has been unable to consistently play their best eleven. Sandeep Sharma has been overused in critical phases, and the lack of a bowling all-rounder has made matters worse.
The result is a team that appears unsettled and confused. Even when they get a good start, they are unable to capitalise. When they fall behind, there is no game-changer to rescue them. The balance is missing, and without a stable lineup, the performances have been all over the place.
Rajasthan Royals entered IPL 2025 with big expectations. On paper, they still have some of the most exciting talent in the league. But questionable auction decisions, poor use of overseas slots, underwhelming leadership performances, and tactical rigidity have combined to derail their campaign.
It is not too late to turn things around. The league format gives every team room to make a comeback if they can build momentum at the right time. However, the Royals will need more than just intent. They will need clarity, leadership, and smart changes to find their way back into playoff contention.
As of now, though, their season stands as a cautionary tale of how a few poor off-field decisions can cascade into chaos on the field.
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