Sanju Samson will be leading Rajasthan Royals in the 2021 season ©BCCI
Outlook
If a book were to be written on Rajasthan Royals' peregrination through this cycle of the Indian Premier League spanning 13 years, 'A tale of two extremes' could be an apt title. The underdogs in the maiden season in 2008 began their voyage with a title win. They've finished seven times in bottom-half of the table since, only making the play-offs a mere three times; and never another final. It only exacerbated in 2020, when they finished with the wooden spoon.
It was quite symbolic of their narrative last season, having had lit up Sharjah with two exceptional wins to kickstart their campaign. It evoked the feeling of "maybe this year could be it", but soon tailed away into another one of nihility.
If the transience in their line-up was an issue last year, this year they'll be led by a new captain. Steve Smith replaced Ajinkya Rahane midway through 2019, and he led the side in 2020 before being replaced Sanju Samson for this upcoming season. They also acquired the services of all-rounder Chris Morris,
