Former India captain Anil Kumble has weighed in on Rajasthan Royals’ underwhelming IPL 2025 campaign, expressing disappointment at their tactical decisions and poor execution. RR have lost six out of eight matches and are currently placed in the bottom half of the table. The absence of captain Sanju Samson due to a side strain has added to their woes.
“Missing Sanju a Big Loss,” Says Kumble
Kumble pointed out that not having Sanju Samson for most games has deeply affected RR’s performance. He called Samson a key pillar of the team and praised Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form but insisted that leadership and experience are being missed.
“Missing Sanju Samson is a big thing. He is a key player for Rajasthan Royals,” said Kumble.
Surprise Over Jos Buttler Exit
Kumble was also surprised at RR’s decision to not retain Jos Buttler, who is currently excelling with Gujarat Titans.
“Jos Buttler was the key player for RR. He could destroy any attack single-handedly. I was surprised they didn’t retain him,” Kumble added.
On Hetmyer & Right-Left Batting Strategy
Kumble questioned RR’s obsession with the right-left combination, urging the team to be more flexible. He said players like Shimron Hetmyer shouldn’t be restricted to finishing roles and should be promoted based on the match situation.
“It’s not about fixed roles. Hetmyer should come in when 8-10 runs per over are needed—not 14,” he explained.
Kumble on RCB’s Struggles at Home
The former RCB skipper also touched on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s issues at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, pointing out that the team has failed to assess conditions properly. He suggested that the franchise missed an opportunity by not playing Devdutt Padikkal in certain matches.
“You have to assess the pitch better. Virat and Padikkal are key to building a solid foundation,” Kumble said.
With Rajasthan Royals’ season hanging by a thread, Kumble’s comments reflect what many fans and analysts have echoed—better planning, flexibility, and key player availability are essential if RR hope to bounce back in IPL 2025.
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