We don’t buy superstars, we make them: RR’s faith in the future

The Rajasthan Royals, the franchise that once lifted the inaugural IPL trophy in 2008, have once again found themselves on the outside looking in as IPL 2025 playoffs approach. A crushing 100-run defeat to Mumbai Indians on May 1 sealed their fate — another season ending without a spot in the final four.

While the campaign didn’t yield success in the standings, the Royals remain steadfast in their long-term vision: building stars, not buying them. A philosophy that has been the cornerstone of the franchise’s identity since its inception continues to define its strategy, even through the setbacks.

Young Blood, Big Dreams

The latest name to emerge from RR’s talent pipeline is 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. His eye-catching performance drew praise across the cricketing community and represents the ethos of the Royals’ developmental model. Fielding coach Dishant Yagnik echoed this sentiment at the post-match press conference.

“Whenever a new player has entered our side over the years, they weren’t stars already. They became stars at our franchise,” Yagnik stated. “We don’t buy superstars, we make superstars. That’s our tagline.”

Despite criticism for letting go of marquee players like Jos Buttler and Trent Boult, Yagnik insists the team has no regrets.

“It’s time to look ahead. We have Vaibhav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson leading us. We believe this team will become champions.”

Execution Woes in Crunch Moments

What cost RR dearly this season was their inability to close out games that were well within their grasp. Losses against Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore — all from dominant positions — painted a picture of missed opportunities.

Each time, the game seemed under control until the final overs. Against DC, it went to a Super Over where RR faltered. Versus LSG and RCB, the team choked in the final moments, leaving Yagnik visibly frustrated.

“We were dominating in those three games, but there was a shortage in execution during crunch moments,” he admitted. “That’s six points lost.”

Fielding Fumbles Add to Misery

Rajasthan’s once-proud fielding unit stumbled this year, dropping vital catches and allowing games to slip through. The MI game saw Suryakumar Yadav capitalize on multiple missed chances, punishing the Royals with a blazing knock.

Still, Yagnik backed his players and labeled the poor fielding as an exception, not a trend.

“From 2018 to 2023, we were always in the top three fielding units. A season like this can happen. What matters is your preparation.”

Credit Where It’s Due

Despite the defeat, Yagnik didn’t hold back in appreciating MI’s powerful batting display. The surface was tricky, but MI batters — from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya — made it look easy.

“They hit sixes off really good balls. You have to credit MI for the way they batted,” Yagnik acknowledged.

Tactical Gamble That Backfired

RR’s decision to bowl first raised eyebrows after MI piled on 217 runs. Yagnik defended the call, citing previous games and conditions.

“At this venue, batting has often been easier in the second innings. Dew was expected. It was an informed decision that didn’t work out.”