IPL 2025: Bangar Suggests RR Should Have Secured Sixth Bowling Option
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In IPL 2025, Sanjay Bangar emphasizes the necessity for Rajasthan Royals to acquire a sixth bowling option. This would alleviate pressure on the main bowlers, especially during their recent 58-run loss to Gujarat Titans. The absence of Wanindu Hasaranga further complicated the situation for RR.
Key Takeaways
- Rajasthan Royals lacked a sixth bowling option in IPL 2025.
- In the match against Gujarat Titans, RR fell short by 58 runs.
- Jofra Archer was the only standout bowler for RR.
- Missing Wanindu Hasaranga was a significant blow for RR.
- RR is currently in seventh place in the points table.
Ahmedabad, April 10 (NationPress) Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar asserts that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ought to have acquired a reliable sixth bowling option, which would have alleviated the strain on the primary bowlers during their 58-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025.
Aside from Jofra Archer’s impressive performance of 1-30, none of the RR bowlers managed to put significant pressure on the GT batsmen, allowing the hosts to compile a formidable 217/6. In response, RR was dismissed for 159 in just 19.2 overs, marking their third loss in the tournament.
The absence of leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who was unavailable due to personal matters, further hampered RR, although his substitute Fazalhaq Farooqi maintained an economy rate below 10. “It was a great wicket to bat on, and the ball was coming on well. There was some pace and bounce that Jofra (Archer) capitalized on effectively – he was the standout bowler,” he said.
“However, apart from him, it seemed that Rajasthan Royals needed a sixth bowling option to relieve some of the pressure from their other bowlers. In such batting-friendly conditions, it was evident they were under considerable strain,” Bangar commented on ESPNCricinfo.
Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer also voiced that RR significantly missed Hasaranga's capabilities at the Narendra Modi Stadium. “They truly missed Hasaranga, someone who could capture wickets during the middle overs. Although (Maheesh) Theekshana took a couple of wickets (2-54), he did not create any pressure. He and Tushar Deshpande (2-53) conceded over 50 runs, costing them more than 100 runs in those eight overs,” he added.
Currently, the IPL 2008 champions are positioned seventh in the points table and are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by Rajat Patidar, in a Sunday afternoon match at their original home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
