IPL: Robin Uthappa questions Rajasthan Royals' auction strategy

The franchise added 14 players of their choice, but early results suggest they are yet to find the right balance in their playing XI.

RR's campaign began on a disappointing note as they lost their opening match to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Their woes deepened in the second game against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, leaving them winless in the tournament so far.

One of RR's biggest concerns has been their bowling attack, which has failed to deliver under pressure.

Star pacer Jofra Archer had a nightmare outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding a record-breaking 76 runs in four oversâ”making it the most expensive spell in IPL history. Sandeep Sharma has also struggled to provide stability with the ball.

While RR's batting unit, led by Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag, has shown promise, their performances have not been enough to compensate for the team's bowling deficiencies.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has urged RR to reassess their auction strategy and address their shortcomings before the season slips further out of their grasp.

"They'll need to reflect on their auction strategy and analyse what they might have missed. But hindsight is a luxury they don't have right now," Uthappa told JioHotstar.

"Their bowling attack seems a bit thin, relying heavily on Sandeep Sharma and Jofra Archer.

"However, it's important to consider that Jofra Archer is returning to regular cricket after a hiatus of over two and a half years.

"He has endured multiple injuries and other challenges that have taken a toll on his body. That inevitably affects a player's mental makeup and self-confidence. There's a lot to unpack here."  

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