Rajasthan Royals (RR), trying to conclude their IPL 2025 marketing campaign on a stronger notice regardless of being out of playoff rivalry, have introduced a big change to their squad forward of the ultimate two matches.
Injured Nitish Rana dominated out of IPL 2025
Center-order batter Nitish Rana has been dominated out for the rest of the season because of an harm.
Rana, the 31-year-old southpaw, who was a notable acquisition for RR on the 2025 public sale for INR 4.2 crore, featured in 11 matches this season. He gathered 217 runs at a median of 21.70, sustaining a dynamic strike fee of 161.94. Whereas he showcased his means with two half-centuries, together with impactful innings in opposition to Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK), his current type noticed a dip with a sequence of low scores. Rana’s absence was felt within the current fixture in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the place stand-in skipper Riyan Parag cited a “niggle” as the explanation for his unavailability. Younger wicketkeeper-batter Kunal Singh Rathore was handed his IPL debut in that match as a alternative.
With the Royals’ hopes for a playoff berth already extinguished, Rana’s harm provides to the challenges within the season’s concluding section. The exact nature and severity of Rana’s harm haven’t been publicly detailed, however the resolution to rule him out for the remaining video games signifies it’s important sufficient to stop his participation.
RR ropes in South African prodigy as Nitish Rana’s alternative
In response to Rana’s unlucky exit, Rajasthan Royals have seemed in direction of their sister franchise, Paarl Royals, within the SA20 league, securing the providers of 19-year-old sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Pretorius arrives with a powerful status, having completed because the main run-scorer within the SA20 2025 season. He amassed a outstanding 397 runs in simply 12 innings, putting at an distinctive fee of 166.80. The younger left-handed batter, who additionally retains wickets, has performed a complete of 33 T20 matches, scoring 911 runs with a highest rating of 97, underlining his potential and aggressive method on the prime of the order.
Additionally READ: RCB star Devdutt Padikkal ruled out of IPL 2025; replacement announced
Pretorius will be part of the Royals squad at his base worth of INR 30 lakh. His inclusion is predicted to inject contemporary power and supply a dynamic possibility within the batting lineup for the remaining matches. For the Royals, who are actually centered on ending the season competitively and assessing their choices for the long run, Pretorius’ arrival presents a chance to judge promising younger expertise underneath IPL situations.
The Royals are scheduled to play their subsequent match in opposition to Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) on the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Could 12. This will likely be adopted by their last league stage encounter at house in opposition to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Could 16. These upcoming fixtures might doubtlessly see Pretorius make his extremely anticipated IPL debut.
Additionally READ: IPL 2025 – Points Table
