Finally, some good news for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021. On Sunday, they announced a replacement for English all-rounder Liam Livingstone as young South African all-rounder Gerald Coetzee has started training with the squad over the last weekend.
There were reports suggesting that Rassie Van Dussen will be the replacement for Ben Stokes, but recently it was revealed that the Visa was cleared but he was not given the NOC from the South African Cricket Board.
Rajasthan Royals already have a depleted squad after Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes both were ruled out due to injury and Liam Livingstone left due to bio bubble fatigue. They just had four overseas players left in the squad after numerous departures. The addition of Gerald Coetzee will give an extra option for selection. Coetzee can bolster the pace attack and his batting could be handy for the team lower down the order.
Coetzee will be available for selection from the next game in IPL 2021. Royals did take a long time to get in replacements, but the current situation of the pandemic makes it difficult to bring players midway through the season. Royals have a settled team for now with both Mustafizur Rahman and Chris Morris starting to find form at the right moment in IPL 2021. Meanwhile, David Miller and Jos Buttler are the other two overseas players in the squad. It remains to be seen whether Royals will bring in more replacements or try to loan players from other franchises.
Rajasthan Royals are set to take on Chennai Super Kings on May 5. The former IPL champions come into this game full of confidence after a resounding victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. Buttler is back in form as he hammered a century, while Morris and Mustafizur chipped in with three wickets each against SRH.