‘Some great charity..what have they gotten from it?': Ambati Rayudu slams RR for heavily investing in youngsters
The Rajasthan Royals have struggled top pick up form this season in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), having suffered six defeats out of the 8 games they played this seaso. Sanju Samson's men are on a four-game losing streak, narrowly letting go of games, be it a defeat in the super over to Delhi Capitals or their failure to chase down 180 vs LSG on Saturday, with 9 runs needed in the last over.
Time and again, the 2008 IPL winners have shown trust in young talent, as evident in their munificent investment in players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, captain Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag to name a few. Even 14-year-old debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who took to the crease for RR against LSG was secured for 1.1 crore.
Amidst RR's struggles to conjure up anything significant in terms of wins this season, former Indian International and commentator Ambati Rayudu slammed the RR management and its decisions. He called out the side for their lack of preparation in the way they approached the IPL season and stressed that the side's priorities should be to compete and win.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo's Timeout, Rayudu said, '…They've invested so much in youngsters over the years. What have they gotten out of it? It's been 17 years since they've won an IPL, and they always showcase this as if it's their strength. It is some great charity that they're doing for the game, but it is not. You're here to compete'.
Expressing his disapproval of the way the RR management runs the side, the six-time IPL champion added, 'You're here to win the IPL, and there are ways teams have adopted to win the IPL, and you don't follow any of those. And you want people to come on board and appreciate you for the good team that you are by giving youngsters all over the world a good opportunity in the IPL'.
The franchise's decision to retain middle order duo Riyan Parag and Jurel for the 2025 campaign has also come under significant criticism for their inability to chase down games for the side. Eight games into the season, RR is in 8th spot and firmly rooted to the bottom half of the table.
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