Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2025 campaign has followed a painfully familiar script—a strong start undone by a dramatic mid-season slump. This year, however, the decline has been even more alarming. With seven losses in nine matches, including a five-game losing streak, their playoff chances hang by a thread with a third of the league stage remaining.
What’s most concerning is how they’ve faltered in recent chases. In their last three defeats—against Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore—they were well within reach of victory, only to crumble when it mattered most. Needing just nine off the final over in two of those games and 18 off the last two in another, they fell short every time.
“In all three matches, the equation was manageable—around nine runs per over—which, given our batting firepower, should have been achievable,” seamer Sandeep Sharma admitted after the latest loss. “But we keep losing wickets at crucial stages. When we try to accelerate, the execution falters. Under pressure, we’re just not delivering.”
Against RCB, the Rajasthan Royals were set a challenging 205 on a tricky Chinnaswamy pitch but got off to a flying start thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 19-ball 49. At 110/1 after nine overs, the game was theirs to lose. Yet, once captain Riyan Parag fell, the innings unraveled. Dhruv Jurel, who labored to a 34-ball 47, couldn’t finish the job—another example of the Royals’ recurring failure to close out games.
Their PowerPlay dominance (37 sixes, the most by any team) has been overshadowed by middle-over struggles: 26 wickets lost (second-most) and a meager 16% boundary rate (third-worst).
“We’re failing in the decisive moments, whether batting or bowling,” Sandeep said. “Every T20 side faces these pressure situations—you have to seize them. This season, we’re dropping key catches, losing wickets at the worst times. Last year, the same players—Riyan, Dhruv, Yashasvi—stepped up. Our fielding was sharper too. Now, we’re just buckling under pressure.”
Parag, leading in place of the injured Sanju Samson, blamed the batters for not handling RCB’s spinners effectively. “We were in control at the halfway stage, needing just 8.5 runs per over. But we lacked intent against spin. The blame lies with us—we didn’t execute when it mattered.”
When asked if the issue was mental rather than tactical, Parag acknowledged: “The support staff has given us complete freedom. It’s on us as players to express ourselves and perform fearlessly. But in the IPL, even one small mistake costs you dearly—and that’s exactly what happened today.”
For more worldwide updated news visit apexadpros or for sports content checkout to sports.apexadpros
