Every season, the pink-and-blue brigade kicks off strong, flashes brilliance, and then… just fizzles out. IPL 2025? Same script, only this time, the downfall came way quicker — a trend even fans tracking performances on the Baji App couldn’t ignore.
Let’s talk numbers for a second. Seven losses in their last nine matches. Five of those losses came back-to-back. That’s not just bad luck—that’s a nosedive. And it’s not just that they’re losing; it’s how they’re losing that stings.
So Close, Yet So Far: The Heartbreak of the Final Overs
You know what really hurts? Falling short when the finish line is right in front of you. Three of their latest defeats came while chasing very achievable targets. Against Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, they needed just nine runs in the final over. Against RCB? Eighteen from the last two—doable, right? But they lost by 11.
That’s not just misfortune; it’s a pattern. And it’s becoming their identity.
Seamer Sandeep Sharma didn’t sugarcoat it either:
“We needed nine runs an over… but we’re losing wickets at key moments. We’re not executing our plans under pressure.”
That’s the crux. The Royals have the firepower, the strategy, the intent—but it all collapses when it matters most.
A Blazing Start That Burns Out Midway
To be fair, they’ve been electric out of the gate. Rajasthan Royals have topped the PowerPlay charts—most sixes in the first six overs, a blistering tempo, and sheer confidence. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, has been a highlight reel on his own. His 49 off 19 against RCB was explosive. The team had 110 runs in just 9 overs. Momentum? Totally in their favor.
But then came the usual hiccup. Riyan Parag’s dismissal was the turning point—again. Dhruv Jurel played a gritty knock, 47 off 34 balls, but couldn’t finish the job.
The Royals’ middle-order has been their Achilles’ heel. They’ve lost 26 wickets in the middle overs—only KKR’s done worse. Their boundary percentage during that phase? Just 16%. That’s sluggish, especially in a game where every dot ball is a ticking time bomb.
Mental Game or Tactical Breakdown?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Are these issues tactical or mental? Is it poor planning or the pressure that’s cracking them?
Captain Riyan Parag, stepping in for an injured Sanju Samson, didn’t shy away from calling out his own batting unit:
“We were in the driver’s seat… but we didn’t show enough intent against the spinners.”
Intent. That word keeps popping up.
He also hinted that the challenge wasn’t about strategy, but mindset.
“The support staff has given us freedom… it’s on us to show performances with intent.”
So, is the Royals’ downfall about nerves? Lack of composure when it counts? Maybe it’s both. T20 cricket’s brutal. Blink once, you’re done. A single bad over, a misjudged slog, a dropped catch—it can undo everything.
The Curious Case of Same Squad, Different Vibes
Here’s the strange bit. It’s almost the same team from last year. Same faces. Same skillsets. Same energy—at least on paper.
Last season, Riyan, Dhruv, Yashasvi—they were on it. They were grabbing those key moments. The fielding was tighter, the finishes sharper. Now? They’re fumbling the big plays. The rhythm’s gone missing.
Sandeep summed it up perfectly:
“We’re dropping crucial catches, losing wickets right when we need to push… we’re crumbling under pressure.”
There’s clearly a disconnect somewhere. Whether it’s fatigue, overthinking, or just not gelling as a unit this year, something’s not clicking.
When Pressure Feels Like a Heavy Backpack
Watching Rajasthan play right now feels like watching a band trying to stay in sync while the drummer is offbeat. Every time they get close to finishing a set, someone misses a note.
Cricket’s a mental game as much as it is a skill game. It’s about absorbing pressure and turning it into opportunity. And while talent is in abundance in this squad, composure under fire is clearly lacking.
You can feel for the younger players too. Imagine being 23, trying to carry the hopes of a franchise, with millions watching, waiting, judging. That’s a heavy backpack to wear every game.
What Needs Fixing? More Than Just Bat Swings
So, how do they break the cycle?
Here’s a thought:
- Tighten the middle overs: A better rotation of strike, finding boundaries without going aerial every time.
- Trust finishers: Someone like Dhruv Jurel has shown grit. Give him more responsibility, more clarity.
- Play to strengths: If PowerPlay is your golden phase, make sure you capitalize instead of slamming the brakes mid-innings.
- Field like it matters: You drop one catch, you might lose a game. Fielding is non-negotiable.
And most importantly—they need belief. Not the fake, press-conference kind, but the gritty, dugout-in-the-last-over kind. The kind that makes you stand tall when you’re eight down with 20 to go.
Final Thoughts: Can the Royals Still Turn It Around?
There’s a third of the league left. It’s not over—yet. The margins are razor-thin in T20s. One win, one inspired innings, one clutch moment—that’s all it takes to flip the mood.
But if Rajasthan Royals want to stop this freefall, they’ll need to do more than just “show intent.” They need to grab this season by the collar and say, “Enough.”
