Rahane is the first Rajasthan Royals player to go from earning an India cap while playing for us to becoming a permanent member of the Indian team.
He will be always special for us and Indian team. And now he is hanging up his boots.
Happy retirement Jinx.
Ishan 812 runs - 35.3avg - 176.9sr
Abhishek 514 runs - 23.36 avg - 185.55sr
Dube 488 runs - 34.85avg - 171.83sr
Sky 484 runs - 44 avg - 161.33sr
Tilak 462 runs - 35.53avg - 148.07sr
Sanju 400 runs - 30.76avg - 180.99sr
Shreyas 311 runs - 38.87avg - 145.32sr
Hardik 286 runs - 26avg - 165.31 sr
Sunclankid 193 runs - 32.16avg - 189.21sr
Rinku 152 runs - 25.33avg - 139.44sr
Axar 69 runs - 6.27 avg - 97.18sr
Harshit 53 runs - 8.83 avg - 106sr
If there are no injury concerns, Jaiswal can break the record. He can reach upto 34.
So both tests in SL will be played in different venues -
Galle and Colombo.
And both test in NZ series also happens in different venues. After that India will play Aus in Nagpur. Which is also a new venue for Jaiswal.
His streak will end in the second test against Australia in Chennai.
Rest of the 3 tests also happens in grounds where Jaiswal has played previously.
While I do appreciate our fandom growing slowly due to Vaibhav... There will be issues with it as well. The toxicity that these fans will have will be similar to some Kohli fans. But this is not about that.
RR page posted a video of Jaiswal rn. And the comment section has too much "Vaibhav" in it.
Some are 'Like' farmers. Some are around there to only see posts about Vaibhav.
Since Jaiswal is also a star boy, good, suitable comments are also coming. But these new fans... At the very least they should maintain a decorum with the players within the same IPL team in the team's official pages.
On the other hand, i am glad to see the page posting something about Jaiswal amidst the trade rumours. This doesn't guarantee that he will stay or anything. Because social media team is not the core. Even they probably don't know much about the management discussions and decisions until they are officially informed. Still... It is somewhat of a relief.
In his new video, Ashwin is hinting that Hardik trade probably happened. With a good left hand batter. And it's not with CSK.
Ashwin is someone who has worked with RR and probably knows both Hardik and Jaiswal well. Though he didn't name Jaiswal, it's likely that he meant him. Because SRH is definitely not dropping Ishan.
This is heartbreaking.
I don't know if it's management's fault or Jaiswal's own will to move. Likely the latter.
After seeing Buttler in GT jersey, Sanju in CSK jersey... Are we to see another heartbreak moment. This is soo unfair. Why can't we keep our couple of top players. And this is worse than the previous two. Because we dreamed years of good campaigns with prime Jaiswal. And now they are denying us of this. It's so unfair man. Jaiswal should be our RIGHT to have.
What are the chance for Ashwin being wrong or is not pointing at Jaiswal?.... I don't know if there is any point in clinging at such a hope. But please. Somehow make the trade fail.
Ever since 2023 Jaiswal's breakout season, Jaiswal has had more impact than Hardik in all 4 seasons. Maybe 2025 is debatable.
Let's compare their stats from 2023.
In 2023, Jaiswal scored 625 runs at a strike rate of 163. Hardik scored 346 runs and took 3 wickets
In 2024, Jaiswal only scored 435 runs at a strike rate of 155.9. Hardik scored 216 runs with 143sr and took 11 wickets at an economy of 10.75
In 2025 both performed well. Jaiswal scored 559 runs at a strike rate of 159.7. Hardik took 14 wickets at an economy of 9.77 and 224 runs at 163.5 sr.
In 2026 Jaiswal scored only 427 runs at 152.5sr in 16 innings Hardik 206 runs at 138.3sr and took 4 wickets with an economy of 11.4
I saw some fans stating that Hardik will solve our middle order batting issues and bowling issues. I just want to ask how sure are you guys about that. Because I am way more sure that Jaiswal will deliver for us again than betting on Hardik rn. If the trade does happen I also hope Hardik will prove me wrong and deliver for us. But for now, Hardik is not at all a reliable substitute for Jaiswal.
What we expect of Hardik as a finisher is a strike rate of 180+ right. ? He hasn't batted at that strike rate in a reaaalllly long time. And as a pace bowling all-rounder turning 33 next year, and somewhat injury prone ... How long can we expect him to bowl for us regularly. I hope he is fit for another 4 years. But it's not something I am willing to bet in the stead of Jaiswal.
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So cricbuzz just reported that CSK hasn't got a trade enquiry about Hardik Pandya. It suggests that either Hardik is not for trade, or they are willing only for certain trades with Hardik, and no CSK player matches MIs needs. Means either no trade or MI may be looking exclusively for Jaiswal alone. If that's the case, they are not willing to trade Hardik for even Ayush Mhatre. Which is a bit confusing at least.
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And another reporter was CSK and DC categorically denied a Miller - Khaleel swap trade.
I would appreciate if our franchise also does the same if the news about Hardik - Jaiswal trade is fake. But neither MI or RR has commented on this. Which is upsetting; and bothersome.
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Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson. Now Jaiswal?
Why are we always forced to watch our stars going to other teams. Jaiswal has been excellent for us. This season was average. Yes. But more than that.... We all know how good he has been. Why even think of such a trade. Its outrageous.
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It's like the franchise doesn't care for loyalty or creating cult players. Let some stars play here throughout their career. Us fans are made to fall in love with their perfomance and ... Then let them go???
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Jaiswal should retire here . Having Vaibhav is no excuse to let go of Jaiswal.
For a franchise that did well this season, only we have to go through such agony and tensed times.
And we are making a habit of it.
I have nothing against Hardik. It will be good to have him in our team. But not in the stead of Jaiswal or Vaibhav👍
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Realistically speaking - if the news is true, i know likely some sort of trade will happen with Jaiswal. I REALLLLYY don't want that to happen. I mean common, Sanga was playing wearing Jaiswal's helmet today. ..
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PS - Jaiswal's performance is what will give him a place in the ICT. being a mumbai player has zero role in it. There is a common misconception that playing for MI, RCB and CSK benefits a player's international career. Let me tell you - it's not true. At least not anymore.
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ACTIVE PLAYERS WITH MOST MATCHES PLAYED (REMARKS)
**(**Also should have atleast played in 2025 in "not-retired" format to be considered active)
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V Kohli - 559 (ponting 560 is all time 5th)
Rohit - 508 (one match to equal Dravid (4th among Indians))
M Rahim - 478 (will he cross 500?)
Buttler - 411 (most for england)
Root - 385 (only fab 4 player active in multiple formats)
Jadeja - 373 (one match to equal sehwag)
S Smith - 360 (least among fab4)
Babar - 350 (younger than everyone above. Only 31)
P Stirling - 343 (same age as Buttler - 35)
K Mendis - 336 (only 31)
M Nabi - 331 (Saw everything with Afg. 41)
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Shane Watson - 2 times (2008,2013)
J Archer - 2020
J Buttler - 2022
V Sooryavanshi - 2026
These experts and analysts should leave us alone.
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Including the impact subs, nine Indian players played for RR in the last two matches. This includes three debuts of this season - Brijesh, Sushant and Yash Raj Punja
Their most senior player Jadeja is also their first batch OG player.
The other five are - Y Jaiswal, V Sooryavanshi, R Parag, D Jurel and S Dubey.
All of them are RR's own finds. And they won both matches as well.
(removed Irfan from the list since he predicted we will qualify. Reposting since there was some sort of error last time)
LSG 22/2 (3.4overs) .
Looks like the match is already done. With Mitch Marsh not playing they don't have much fire power now. Unless Pant does what he did last season again (118*).
So the match against MI has become a must win. And that game will decide our fate. We won't be looking at DC vs KKR match result if we lose tomorrow.