Jaipur, April 28 — Rajasthan Royals’ campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has reached a critical juncture, with playoff hopes hanging by a mathematical thread. After winning only two of their nine matches, the Royals sit second from the bottom in the points table. Despite the uphill task, bowling coach Shane Bond has assured that the team remains committed to giving their best in the remaining five league matches.
In a press conference on Sunday, Bond acknowledged the tough situation. “The hardest part is that we were in control for nearly 35 overs in many games but ended up losing crucial moments. Looking at the points table, we realize where we could have been, but there’s no point dwelling on it now,” Bond said.
This season, Rajasthan Royals have faced challenges on multiple fronts. Regular captain Sanju Samson has missed most matches due to injury, forcing 22-year-old Riyan Parag to step in as captain and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to open the batting. Although Suryavanshi showcased promise, inconsistent performances from other batsmen have significantly hampered the team’s progress.
Despite boasting some of the fastest Powerplay scoring rates, Rajasthan has faltered during the middle and death overs, often losing momentum at crucial stages. Their spinners have also struggled, posting one of the league’s worst economy rates (9.16) and strike rates (23).
Bond defended the bowling unit, stating, “In the last three matches, we restricted the opposition to chaseable scores but failed to capitalize, especially with the bat.”
Key bowlers like Jofra Archer delivered decent spells but failed to consistently pick up wickets, unlike Gujarat Titans’ Prasidh Krishna. Meanwhile, Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma also struggled to make decisive impacts in crunch situations.
Rajasthan Royals face a do-or-die match against Gujarat Titans on Monday. A loss would effectively end their slim playoff hopes, whereas a win could temporarily keep them in contention.
Reflecting on the season, Bond added, “Last year, we won almost all our home games. This year, the situation has reversed, with many teams struggling to adapt to home conditions. Our primary goal now is to finish the season with pride. The players’ spirit and hard work will persist till the very end.”
As Rajasthan gears up for their crucial fixture, fans and management alike will be hoping for a strong finish to an otherwise turbulent campaign.
