Rajasthan Royals Face Another Setback

Rajasthan Royals have suffered another blow this IPL season, with experienced top-order batter Nitish Rana ruled out due to a calf injury. He had missed the last match against Kolkata Knight Riders due to a niggle, and now, the team has officially confirmed he won’t be returning this season.

Already out of the playoff race, the Royals are now focusing on testing their bench strength and preparing for the future.

Meet the New Face: Lhuan-dre Pretorius

To replace Rana, Rajasthan Royals have signed 19-year-old South African opener and wicketkeeper Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The young talent grabbed headlines during the U19 World Cup last year, where he scored 287 runs in just 6 innings at an average of 57.40.

Pretorius continued to impress in South Africa’s T20 league (SA20), representing the Paarl Royals. He scored 397 runs in 12 innings at a blistering strike rate of 166 — becoming the top run-scorer of the 2025 season. He joins the Royals at his base price of ₹30 Lakh.

The franchise announced his signing on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that Pretorius will fill in for Rana.

Rana’s Season in Brief

While Rana did play a spectacular 81-run knock off 36 balls against Chennai Super Kings, his overall performance this season was underwhelming. He finished with 217 runs in 11 matches. In his absence, local player Kunal Rathore was given a chance in the last match but struggled, particularly against Moeen Ali’s off-spin.

What’s Next for the Royals?

With just two matches left — one away against CSK on May 12 and another at home against Punjab Kings on May 16 — the Royals are expected to experiment with their playing XI. If Sanju Samson returns for the CSK game, Pretorius may make his IPL debut soon.

The Royals currently sit ninth in the points table and will look to end their season on a positive note while also giving opportunities to young talent who could be part of their long-term plans.