(Cricket news) The 2nd phase of the 2021 IPL is about to start and Rajasthan Royals are 5th on the points table with 7 matches left to play. Their 1st game back is against PBKS on 21st September.

Newly appointed captain Sanju Samson has been performing with the willow, having scored 277 runs in 7 innings. Proteas seamer Chris Morris is leading the bowling attack and has already picked up 14 wickets. Youngster Chetan Sakariya is enjoying a good start to his IPL career.

Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler carried the batting line up in the 1st half. With Buttler not there, one or two others have to take more responsibility. David Miller is the obvious candidate with all his experience. Rahul Tewatia had a breakthrough tournament last season but hasn't quite delivered in this edition. Another problem is that the opening pair is still unclear. Manan Vohra, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Evin Lewis.

Also read: Punjab Kings look to break their 6 year streak to qualify for the playoffs

Since winning the inaugural tournament in 2008, Rajasthan Royals have made it to the playoffs only twice. They have a long way to ge before they can get anywhere near the trophy, to try and get to the playoffs would be the first step. On a personal level Sanju Samson will have something to prove after being cast aside from the Indian side.

The Royals played the 1st half without Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Liam Livingstone. While Livingstone is set to return, Stokes and Archer will miss the tournament. To make matters worse Jos Buttler is the recent Englishman to pull out of the tournament. Evin Lewis, Glenn Phillips, Tabraiz Shamsi and Oshane Thomas are the four new signings made for the 2nd phase.

Here is the full Rajasthan Royals squad

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shreyas Gopal, Glenn Phillips (wk), Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Evin Lewis, Oshane Thomas, Kartik Tyagi, Mahipal Lomror, Yashasvi Jaiswal, David Miller, Jaydev Unadkat, Anuj Rawat (wk), Mayank Markande, Manan Vohra, Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Morris, Shivam Dube, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Liam Livingstone, Akash Singh, KC Cariappa, Kuldip Yadav.