In a tactical surprise during their IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals promoted Wanindu Hasaranga to No.5—his first appearance this season. But the experiment failed to pay off, as the Sri Lankan all-rounder managed just 4 runs from 4 deliveries before falling to Varun Chakravarthy.
Key Highlights:
RR Off to a Steady Start, But Collapse Follows
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Rajasthan got off to a promising start with 33 runs in just 3.5 overs. But the momentum shifted when Riyan Parag was dismissed for 25 in the eighth over. In the very next over, Yashasvi Jaiswal fell, leaving RR at 69/3 in 8.4 overs.
With Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel—two experienced finishers—still in the dugout, RR made a bold decision: send in Hasaranga at No.5.
Why Promote Wanindu Hasaranga?
The strategy behind Hasaranga’s promotion was clear. With Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy operating in tandem, RR wanted a right-handed batter with a high strike rate against spin to disrupt the rhythm.
Statistically, Hasaranga boasts a T20 strike rate of 152 vs spin, although his average is only 17.5. RR hoped to use him as a pinch-hitter to counter KKR’s spin chokehold.
“We felt they will be bowling spinners, and wanted him to take them down,” said RR batting coach Vikram Rathour during the broadcast.
Rahul Dravid’s Signature Risk-Taking
The move also reflected the influence of Rahul Dravid, RR’s head coach, who is known for backing all-rounders in crunch situations. Under his India tenure, he often sent Axar Patel up the order during high-pressure games—most notably in the 2022 T20 World Cup against Pakistan and the 2024 final.
Tactic Backfires as Hasaranga Falls Quickly
Unfortunately for RR, the gamble did not work. Hasaranga struggled to assert himself and was dismissed trying to take on Chakravarthy after scoring just 4 off 4 balls.
Though the move may have temporarily shielded more prominent batters from spin, it did little to advance the scoreboard or stabilize the innings.
Dhruv Jurel’s Exclusion Raises Eyebrows
What baffled fans even more was the exclusion of Dhruv Jurel, who had scored a career-best 70 runs in his last outing. Choosing not to capitalize on a player in form, especially in a top-order crisis, has sparked post-match debates.
“Why hold back a form batter like Jurel for a failed experiment?” questioned one fan on social media.
High-Risk Move, Low Reward for RR
The promotion of wanindu hasaranga at No.5 was a calculated risk aimed at breaking KKR’s spin stranglehold. While the intent was strategically sound, the execution faltered, resulting in a wasted opportunity and deeper pressure on the batting lineup.
As RR reflects on this defeat, the decision to bench an in-form Dhruv Jurel may be one they revisit more critically in the games ahead.
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