Rajasthan Royals Face Setback as Nitish Rana is Ruled Out of IPL 2025

Rajasthan Royals' Injury Woes Continue
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have encountered another setback with the news that Nitish Rana will miss the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a calf injury. This update was confirmed by the official IPL website, which also announced that South African talent Lhuan-dre Pretorius will step in as Rana's replacement.
Having already been eliminated from playoff contention, RR has faced numerous challenges this season. Their captain, Sanju Samson, has been sidelined for a significant portion of the tournament, and Sandeep Sharma was ruled out earlier. Rana's injury marks the latest in a series of unfortunate events for the team, with his last appearance being against KKR.
To fill the gap left by Rana, RR has added another strong left-handed opener to their lineup. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryvanshi already in the squad, the inclusion of Pretorius aims to strengthen their top order. The young cricketer is no stranger to this role, having previously played for Paarl Royals in the SA20 league.
Pretorius made headlines during the 2025 SA20 league, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer, amassing 397 runs at an impressive strike rate of 166.81 in his inaugural franchise tournament. His aggressive batting style and precise ball-striking endeared him to fans.
One of his standout moments came against Trent Boult, where he hit a remarkable six, showcasing his exceptional wrist work. This moment remains vivid in the memories of many cricket enthusiasts.
As Rana focuses on recovery, IPL 2025 continues to see roster changes across various teams. Recently, RCB signed Mayank Agarwal to replace Devdutt Padikkal, while Delhi Capitals brought in Sediqullah Atal to take over for Harry Brook.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius' Impressive SA20 2025 Performance
Lhuan-dre Pretorius SA20 2025 Stats:
- Runs: 397
- Innings: 12
- Average: 33.08
- Strike Rate: 166.81
🚨 LHUAN DRE-PRETORIUS REPLACES NITISH RANA IN RR FOR IPL 2025. 🚨pic.twitter.com/S4WmYsvUbI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 8, 2025