Rajasthan Royals' Nitish Rana has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to injury. The team has replaced him with 19-year-old South African talent Lhuan-dre Pretorius, known for his explosive batting. Pretorius is expected to strengthen RR’s middle order and make an immediate impact in the tournament.
In a significant setback for Rajasthan Royals, experienced middle-order batsman Nitish Rana has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to an undisclosed injury. In response, the franchise has brought in 19-year-old South African prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius to fill the vacant spot in the squad.
Rajasthan Royals picked up Nitish Rana for ₹4.20 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, banking on his reliable performances and leadership experience. With over 2,600 IPL runs to his name and a solid strike rate of 134.22, Rana has been a key player across multiple seasons. Unfortunately, an injury has sidelined him for the rest of the tournament, dealing a blow to RR's batting depth.
Replacing Rana is teenage sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a rising star in South African cricket. At just 19 years old, Pretorius made headlines during the 2024 U19 Cricket World Cup by topping the scoring charts for South Africa with 287 runs at an average of 57.40. His explosive T20 debut for the Paarl Royals in the 2025 SA20 league, where he smashed 97 runs off just 51 balls, has further bolstered his reputation as a future star.
Rajasthan Royals hope Pretorius will bring fresh energy and firepower to their middle order. Given his current form and fearless approach, the team sees potential for him to contribute immediately in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. Pretorius's inclusion could prove pivotal for RR's playoff aspirations with the tournament heating up.
While Nitish Rana's injury is undoubtedly a loss, Rajasthan Royals have shown intent by securing a promising replacement in Lhuan-dre Pretorius. His recent performances suggest he's more than ready to step up on the big stage, and fans will be eager to see what he brings to the Royals' campaign in IPL 2025.
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