Rajasthan Royals have signed Lhuan-dre Pretorius as a substitute for Nitish Rana, who is out for the rest of IPL 2025 due to injury. At just 19, Pretorius has already made waves in cricket. Although yet to make his international debut, the South African left-handed opening batter and wicketkeeper showcased his potential at the SA20 tournament this year. He finished as the top run-scorer with an impressive 397 runs at a strike rate of 166.80 across 12 games. His standout performance came with a 51-ball knock of 97 for Paarl Royals against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, earning praise from fans and commentators alike.
Pretorius’s achievements have not gone unnoticed on the international scene. Following SA20, he joined Hampshire for the Vitality Blast, embarking on his first county stint—a significant step in a young cricketer’s career. Pretorius also had an impressive spell at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, emerging as South Africa’s leading run-scorer.
In terms of Rajasthan Royals’ season, Nitish Rana made notable contributions with two key innings: an explosive 81 off 36 balls against Chennai Super Kings and a 51 off 28 deliveries facing Delhi Capitals. Despite these efforts, the Royals’ performance this season hasn’t been up to expectations. They find themselves out of playoff contention, alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. With only three victories in 12 matches, they sit ninth in the ten-team league.
The Royals still have matches left: facing Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on May 12, followed by a home game against Punjab Kings in Jaipur on May 16. How Pretorius will adapt and perform remains to be seen, but his talent and youthful energy are undoubtedly a boon for the team.
Whether a seasoned cricket aficionado or a casual follower, fans can look forward to seeing how this young talent fits into the Rajasthan setup and if he can bring some much-needed hope to their campaign.
