When Rajasthan Royals (RR) splurged a whopping ₹6.50 crore on Tushar Deshpande during the IPL 2025 auction, expectations were sky-high. The franchise envisioned him as a linchpin in their bowling attack. However, the reality has been far from ideal. In today’s high-octane clash against Delhi Capitals (DC), Deshpande’s performance was a glaring letdown. He went wicketless, leaking 38 runs in just three overs at an alarming economy rate of 12.66.
So far this season, Deshpande has managed only five wickets in six games—a stark contrast to his previous two seasons, where he scalped 38 wickets in 29 matches. His inconsistency has been a thorn in RR’s side. Today’s game was no exception. In his very first over, DC’s Abhishek Porel unleashed a brutal assault, smashing two fours, a six, and two more fours in five consecutive deliveries. That 23-run over shattered Deshpande’s rhythm, leaving him rattled for the rest of the match.
While Deshpande struggled, the rest of RR’s pace attack held their ground, restricting DC to 188/5 in 20 overs. RR matched the total, pushing the game into a nail-biting super over. However, DC held their nerve and clinched the victory in front of their roaring home crowd.
In a match where DC’s Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in death bowling with his pinpoint yorkers, Deshpande’s performance was a forgettable chapter. Over the last two games, he has conceded 59 runs without a single wicket to his name. The pressure is mounting on the RR camp, and skipper Sanju Samson will be hoping for a swift turnaround from Deshpande in the upcoming fixtures. Otherwise, RR’s campaign could face serious turbulence.
Stay Updated with the Latest IPL News and Insights: Explore India Betting Sites
