IPL 2019: Probable First Match Playing XIs of all eight teams

#7. Rajasthan Royals

25/3/19 - Kings XI Punjab (Home)

Jos Buttler

Buoyed by the return of their star player, Steven Smith, Rajasthan have a number of selection headaches to address for their opening match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium next Monday.

Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes are certainties to play in the side while Steve Smith's fitness is to be monitored before a call is made. Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson should feature in the top order while one of Rahul Tripathi or Shubham Ranjane could take up the finisher's role.

Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal Kulkarni are in good wicket-taking form and should feature alongside Jofra Archer while Krishnappa Gowtham's presence brings in the much-needed balance with his big-hitting abilities proving to be the difference on a couple of occasions in 2018.

Possible XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Jos Buttler(WK), Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi/Shubham Ranjane, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat