The Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) batting order in their IPL 2025 defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has drawn criticism from former India player Aakash Chopra. The sole foreign batter in their starting lineup, Shimron Hetmyer, was sent to bat at number eight, he noted.
On Wednesday, March 26, in an IPL 2025 match in Guwahati, RR was asked to bat first and set KKR a target of 152 runs. Then, with eight wickets and 15 deliveries remaining, the reigning champions reached the goal and recorded their first victory of the year.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, “Aakash Chopra,” the former India opener questioned why, in their IPL 2025 matchup with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Rajasthan Royals batted Shimron Hetmyer at No. 8 and left Shubham Dubey out of their starting lineup.
“The batting order was a disorder. When you announced the XI while batting first, Shubham Dubey’s name was not there. Shubham Dubey is the player who scored 35 runs off 11 or 12 balls in the last match, and you couldn’t make a place for him. You sent Wanindu Hasaranga, and then he too got out.”
Aakash Chopra
“Then you sent Shubham Dubey before Shimron Hetmyer, and I am wondering if you have a grand total of one overseas batter, will you play him at No. 8? Is there any pure batter in world cricket who bats at No. 8 in a T20 match? It was absolutely beyond my understanding. So this batting order, I don’t know how to comment on it, but it did not make any sense whatsoever.”
Aakash Chopra
Shubham Dubey replaced Sanju Samson as an Impact Sub and scored nine runs off of twelve deliveries. At No. 8, Shimron Hetmyer could only muster seven runs off of eight balls.
“Some Shot Selections Were Bad” – Aakash Chopra Criticizes RR’s Batting in Loss to KKR
Although Aakash Chopra conceded that the Guwahati pitch was rather spin-friendly, he questioned several of the Rajasthan Royals batsmen’ stroke choices during Wednesday’s match.
“The pitch was slightly helpful for the spinners for sure, but some shot selections were bad. You can start with Yashasvi, or you can see Sanju’s or Riyan Parag’s shots. Dhruv Jurel still played decently, but the situation of all the others was extremely bad. 150 – that’s it?”
Aakash Chopra
The former cricket player turned analyst concluded by expressing skepticism on RR’s chances of winning the IPL in 2025.
“Kolkata’s name has come in the top six with two points. How far will they go? We don’t know, but I don’t see RR going very far. One match after the other, more weaknesses and fewer strengths are being seen, and it’s not looking good for the Rajasthan Royals.”
Aakash Chopra
The Rajasthan Royals began their campaign with two straight losses and are currently ranked last in the IPL 2025 points standings. Their only hitter to score more than 30 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders was Dhruv Jurel (33 off 28).
