Three new signings – that is what Rajasthan Royals have gained from our trades with the other Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. All this happened on the brink of Retention Day, when all teams announce their list of retained and released players before the auction. While we eagerly wait to see which of the Royals get retained for IPL 2020, let’s deep dive into the three trades that went down recently. Traded in Mayank Markande from Delhi Capitals The leg-spinner from Punjab made his name in the IPL with an impressive maiden season with Mumbai Indians in 2018. He claimed 3/23 on debut against a star-studded CSK line-up. He bettered his figures with 4/23 in his second IPL game, against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Early in 2019, Markande made his debut for India in a T20I against Australia at Vizag. He got just 3 games in his second IPL season with MI. A few months after the season ended, Mumbai Indians traded Mayank to Delhi Capitals. However, he wasn’t to be with DC for long. Markande is now a Royal after we traded him in from DC. Rahul Tewatia from Delhi Capitals A former Royal, Rahul Tewatia is quite familiar with how we operate. The leg-spinning all-rounder has played for 2 more IPL teams, Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals (previously Daredevils). Tewatia gained some recognition as a hard-hitting lower-order batsman at DC. His T20 strike rate of 151 is testimony to his skills as a batsman. Along with Markande, Rahul Tewatia was traded in to the Rajasthan Royals squad for the 2020 season. The 26-year old is a conventional leggie who prefers to get revs on the ball by flighting it. With the bat, he can use the long handle to good effect and can play some deft strokes too. Ankit Rajpoot from Kings XI Punjab With many years of IPL experience under his belt, Rajpoot comes to Rajasthan Royals to boost our pace battery. A day before he was traded in from Kings XI Punjab, Rajpoot set a new record. He is the only Indian bowler with three 5-fers in T20 cricket. In 2018, Rajpoot claimed his IPL 5-wicket haul against Sunrisers, owning the best figures by an uncapped Indian in the league. Rajpoot is in splendid form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He claimed his third 5-fer in just a 2-over spell, just the second bowler to do so in the history of T20s. We hope he brings in all this form to the Royals very soon. Traded out Ajinkya Rahane to Delhi Capitals Ajinkya Rahane played for Rajasthan Royals from 2011-2015 and 2018-2019 seasons. With nearly 3000 runs as a Royals, Rahane also featured in 100 games for us. He moves to Delhi Capitals for the 2020 season, in return for the two leg-spinners, Markande and Tewatia. Jinks has been a leader at the Royals and many of our young players have learned a lot from him over the years. Some of the memories he has given us will stay with us and be cherished for years to come. He leaves the team with a legacy that will be revered by the entire family. Dhawal Kulkarni to Mumbai Indians Dhawal Kulkarni has been part of the Royals for many years. He joined the Royals Family in 2013, playing on until 2015. He then returned in 2018 after a 2-year sting with Gujarat Lions. Dhawal returns to his first IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians after the trade. DK has been a smart bowler for us, often thinking batsmen out with his subtle variations and just-enough swing. We wish him all the luck for his future endeavours. Krishnappa Gowtham to Kings XI Punjab Gowtham had two interesting years with us, bowling his tight off-breaks and dishing out some big hits in the lower order. One of his key highlights at the Royals was his 11-ball 33 against Mumbai Indians that won us a game from a difficult position. KG goes to Kings XI Punjab for the 2020 season. 3 in and 3 out is where we stand at, as we prepare for retention day. At Rajasthan Royals, we have always backed young players. We hope to see some exceptional performances by the three new Royals, both in domestic/international cricket and for us in IPL 2020. We also wish Ajinkya Rahane, Dhawal Kulkarni & Krishnappa Gowtham all the best for their future. Once a Royal, always a Royal!