The 2022 IPL season brought both triumph and heartbreak for the Rajasthan Royals as they clinched a runner-up finish after a hard-fought battle against the Gujarat Titans (GT). Sanju Samson, at the helm of the team, led with determination and resilience. Despite the final loss, the Royals showcased remarkable prowess, leaving a lasting impact on the cricketing fraternity.
In 2023 league play, the Rajasthan Royals maintained a competitive edge with a 7–7 record, securing the 5th position in their division. The journey was marked by thrilling encounters and mixed performances.
Jos Buttler, the esteemed captain of the England Cricket Team in limited-overs formats, played a pivotal role in the Royals’ campaign. His exceptional leadership skills were not confined to international cricket, as Buttler proved to be an integral part of the Rajasthan Royals. The highlight came in the form of leading England to a T20 World Cup victory in 2022, showcasing his mettle on the global stage.
Amidst the discussions surrounding the Royals’ performance, former pacer Sreesanth weighed in with a candid assessment. According to him, there is a pressing need for a change in the team’s system. He wants Rajasthan Royals to appoint Jos Buttler as the captain and replace Sanju Samson. Drawing from his own experience playing for the Royals, Sreesanth emphasized the importance of a robust management structure.
Reflecting on the past, Sreesanth fondly recalled the era when Rahul Dravid led the Royals. Dravid, as the captain, demonstrated a clear vision and tactical brilliance that set the team apart. His leadership style left a lasting impression on Sreesanth, who regards Dravid as one of the best captains he has had the privilege to play under.
Sreesanth stressed the significance of having a captain who consistently delivers match-winning performances. In his view, a captain should be the driving force behind victories, stepping up not only in every match but at least every three to four games. In the context of the IPL, a tournament of substantial magnitude, relying on sporadic performances is not a sustainable strategy.
Sreesanth Reveals Why Jos Buttler Should Replace Sanju Samson And Rajasthan Royals Captain
Expressing concern, Sreesanth highlighted the impracticality of depending on a player who sporadically shines but fails to deliver consistently. He pointed out that in the IPL, where the frequency of matches is high, a captain’s reliability becomes paramount. Sreesanth’s words serve as a call for consistency, a trait he deems indispensable for success in a tournament as rigorous as the IPL.
He said: “Sanju being captain, first of all, he has to take leadership very seriously or make Buttler the captain. At least, Buttler has won a World Cup. Yes, he can do well, but [RR need] someone else who can actually be consistent. You need a captain like Rohit who has the intensity and the consistency or somebody who is consistently winning the matches for the team. As a captain, you need someone who will win matches for you, if not every match, every three-four games. IPL is a big tournament. There are lots of matches, but you can’t rely on somebody who comes out once in a blue moon and scores run.”
