Hidden Gems: The Lesser Known Facts About Rajasthan Royals

Introduction

If you are a cricket fan, there is no way that you haven’t heard of the Rajasthan Royals. They have been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008 and has garnered a lot of attention over the years not only for their performance on field, but also for their innings off the pitch.

The team has made explosive players into household names. Despite this popularity, there are still some gems hidden deep within the history and operations of this franchise. In this post, we will take an interesting journey through these lesser known facts about Rajasthan Royals.

Fascinating Beginnings and Influence

1. The Underdog Victory

In the IPL’s inaugural season in 2008, Rajasthan Royals was projected as one of the weakest teams based on player strength and financial muscle behind it. No one expected them to come out roaring with such dynamism. However, guided by Shane Warne’s captaincy, they won everyone’s heart by beating all odds and lifting up the first-ever IPL Trophy.

2. Pioneer of Moneyball Approach

Rajasthan Royals were pioneers in using a data-driven approach in cricket – much akin to ‘Moneyball’ strategy popularized in baseball in America. By focusing on uncelebrated yet talented players who could provide good performance at lower costs helped them win the tournament against giants like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

• Krishnappa Gowtham: Bought at his base price during IPL 2017 auction. Despite being unknown prior working with Rajasthan Royals, he emerged as key contributor for many victories throughout seasons.
• Pravin Tambe: With first-class experience lacking, he was not expected to perform well. But the spinner took few crucial wickets in his debut IPL season, helping team reach finals.

Pushing Boundaries with Social Initiatives

Rajasthan Royals hasn’t just been about cricket alone. They have shown their commitment towards social causes on numerous occasions.

3. Cancer Out Campaign

In 2011, Rajasthan Royals initiated a campaign titled ‘Cancer Out’ as an endeavour to spread awareness about cancer and rally support for its prevention. The players wore dedicated jersey patches and bands promoting the initiative during their matches clearly showcasing club’s commitment towards society.

4. Go Green Initiative

Their commitment to contribute towards saving environment saw them initiating ‘Go Green’ movement where they pledged planting sapling each time squad hit a boundary or six. This is proof that the franchise has always strived to give back to society in one form or other.

Milestones and Achievements Unearthed

The journey of Rajasthan Royals over the years presents several milestones which are often overlooked.

5. Lowest Team Total

Rajasthan holds unenviable record of scoring lowest total by any team in IPL history when they were skittled out for just 58 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2009.

6. Record-Breaking Run Chase

The Royals pulled off highest ever successful run chase in IPL history during the 2020 edition of tournament chasing down a massive target set by Kings XI Punjab at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, successfully achieving it with three balls remaining showing their strong batting lineup resilience.

Beyond The First Eleven – Nurturing Talent

7. Prodigies in the Making

Rajasthan Royals has consistently shown their faith in young talents time and again.

• Sanju Samson: Grabbed eyeballs with his extraordinary hitting prowess since making debut for RR as a teenager. Today, he is seen as one of future stars in Indian cricket.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: The 18-year old was bought by Rajasthan Royals for an impressive amount at IPL Auctions 2020 indicating team’s intent on investing in youngsters.

In conclusion, beyond the fanfare and razzmatazz lies these lesser-known stories that make every team special. If you are a fervent follower or supporter of Rajasthan Royals, we hope these hidden gems further fuels your admiration for the ‘royal’ squad!