Only four batsmen have scored 2,000 runs or more for Rajasthan Royals since the beginning of the Indian Premier League in 2008
The Indian Premier League (IPL) may have become famous for its fast-paced nature, but it is still incredibly tough for batsmen to perform consistently one team season after season. When it comes to Rajasthan Royals, the first winner of the tournament, only four batsmen have been capable enough to score over 2,000 IPL runs in the blue jersey of the Rajasthan Royals.
All-rounder Shane Watson is one of the all-time greats of the Indian Premier League and decided to hang his boots after IPL 2020. Watson has represented Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
He was part of RR in the inaugural edition of the league and remained with them until 2015. During this period, he scored 2,474 runs and was one of the main men for the franchise. Shane Watson’s best year for Rajasthan Royals came in 2013 when he struck 540 runs from 16 matches at an average of 38.78 and a strike rate of 142.89 with one century and two half-centuries and the best of 101.
He was brilliant with the ball that year as well and took 13 wickets at an average of 22.92 and an economy rate of 7.15.
Jos Butler is one of the present batters for the Rajasthan Royals. At the time of drafting this article (April 2), Butler played 75 matches for the Rajasthan-based outfit, scoring 2,731 runs, the highest score being 124. He has maintained an average of 40.76 and a strike rate of 147.38. His best IPL season was in 2022, when he won the Orange Cap; thanks to his 863 runs – the highest in the tournament that season.
Butler flaunting the Orange Cap
Ajinkya Rahane started off his journey in the IPL with Mumbai Indians. He represented the franchise for three years in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he moved to Rajasthan Royals and was with the franchise till 2015. After spending a couple of years with Rising Pune Supergiant, Rahane returned to Rajasthan and was part of the franchise for two more years in 2018 and 2019.
In a turn of events, he lost the captaincy of the side midway in 2019, and it went to Steve Smith. He was then traded to Delhi Capitals before IPL 2020 and has been a part of the franchise since.
Rahane scored 3,098 runs for Rajasthan Royals, the most by any batsman. His best year for the franchise came in 2012 when he struck 560 runs for Rajasthan Royals from 16 matches at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 129.33 with one century and three half-centuries and the best of 103 not out.
Rahane in the early days of IPL donning the RR jersey
Sanju Samson became only the third batsman to score over 2,000 runs for Rajasthan Royals and is presently the team’s leading run scorer with 3,512 runs with a highest score of 119, maintaining a strike rate of 138.86 and average of 30.53. The skipper has done incredibly well with his captaincy, leading the team to the finale in 2022. Unfortunately, the team succumbed to Gujarat Titans.
