IPL 2022: Kumar Sangakkara confident of turnaround with competent squad

Rajasthan Royals director of cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes they have a "very competent" squad at their disposal to script a turnaround after three dismal IPL seasons. Rajasthan finished 7th, 8th and 7th in the last three seasons. The IPL's upcoming edition begins on March 26. "We know we had quite a bit of work to do in the off-season with regards to our team. I think we managed to identify the key areas which needed our attention and having had a proper process when it comes to selecting players at the auction, we managed to kind of hit the markers that we set for ourselves," said the Sri Lankan legend in a team statement. "I think the franchise has done an amazing job to put this exciting and strong squad together," he added.

Commenting on the make-up of his squad, Sangakkara said the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin will make a huge difference. "We've got the two best spinners in the IPL in terms of off-spin and leg-spin in Chahal and Ashwin. We have Boult, Prasidh, Saini, Coulter-Nile, McCoy, which makes up for a very exciting pace unit supported by of course the retentions of Yashasvi, Samson and Buttler. "We have secured depth in every department, with Neesham, Mitchell and van der Dussen being exciting cricketers. We've got some really exciting and young cricketers from India as well. The main thing is that we have a very competent side. We tried to get the core right and get the right players for the roles. "But now, the main thing irrespective of what the squad is, is actual match performance on the field, and how we can give everyone the freedom to go out there and perform," expressed Sangakkara. Asked what the team learned from last season's disappointing second part of the