Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has not held back in his criticism of Rajasthan Royals, questioning the franchise’s persistent faith in youth at the cost of tangible success. As the team finds itself floundering in the lower half of the IPL 2025 points table, Ambati Rayudu has challenged their approach, suggesting it may be time for a course correction.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, have endured a difficult run this season, falling short in consecutive tight finishes — most recently against Lucknow Super Giants, where they failed to chase down nine runs in the final over. With Sanju Samson sidelined due to a side strain, Riyan Parag stepped in as stand-in captain but couldn’t guide the team home, drawing further scrutiny.
Ambati Rayudu, speaking during a post-match discussion, expressed frustration at the Royals’ repeated focus on young, developing players. He questioned the logic of building around potential without translating it into championship contention, especially considering the team hasn’t lifted the IPL trophy since their inaugural triumph in 2008. In his view, entering the IPL with anything less than the intent to win is a misplaced priority, arguing that the league is not the stage for charity or long-term experiments but for immediate results.
Over the years, Rajasthan has become famous for backing promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag himself but in the current season, that strategy has drawn sharp criticism. Many of these players have struggled to deliver in crunch situations, prompting fans and former cricketers alike to question whether the franchise is compromising performance for the sake of development.
Mark Boucher, the former South African wicketkeeper and coach, echoed Ambati Rayudu’s sentiments. He emphasised that the IPL, with its high stakes and global viewership, is a league meant for polished players ready to take on versatile roles — not a grooming ground for raw talent. According to Mark Boucher, franchises should look to auctions and domestic circuits for building depth but when it comes to the IPL, the expectation is clear — compete to win.
With just four points from eight games, Rajasthan Royals are staring at an early exit unless they can turn things around quickly. Their next challenge will be against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a match that could very well decide the trajectory of their faltering campaign.
