Ex-CSK Star Blames RR’s IPL 2025 Auction Strategy for Disastrous Season: ‘I Wouldn’t Have Bought Vaibhav Suryavanshi..’

May 2, 2025: Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 1, 2025, in Jaipur not only ended their playoff hopes but also sparked criticism from former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Abhinav Mukund regarding the franchise’s auction strategy.

In the match, RR were bowled out for 117 while chasing a daunting target of 218. The batting lineup faltered early, with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismissed for a two-ball duck and Nitish Rana contributing just nine runs off 11 balls. MI’s bowlers, including Trent Boult (3/28), Karn Sharma (3/23), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/15), dominated the innings.

Mukund criticized RR’s decision to heavily invest in batting talent during the mega auction, suggesting that funds would have been better spent on strengthening the bowling attack. He pointed out that players like Tushar Deshpande (INR 6.75 crore), Nitish Rana (INR 3 crore), and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (INR 1.1 crore) were acquired at significant costs, while seasoned bowlers such as Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, and Sandeep Sharma were overlooked.

Mukund emphasized the importance of a balanced squad, stating, “You can pick 9-10 individual match-winners in their playing XI.” He noted that MI’s success stemmed from smart planning and execution, particularly their effective use of short balls at Wankhede.

Despite the loss, RR’s captain Riyan Parag acknowledged the team’s struggles, attributing the defeat to a misfiring middle order and the absence of key players due to injuries. He expressed hope that the team would learn from these challenges and improve in future matches.

As RR reflect on their performance, the criticism from Mukund highlights the ongoing debate about team composition and auction strategies in the IPL.