IPL 2019: Predicting Rajasthan Royals' starting eleven vs Kings XI Punjab

Middle Order - Steve Smith, Jos Butler, Sanju Samson

Buttler will be crucial for RR this season.

The middle order of the Royals is one of the most well-settled ones. They have extremely in form batsmen who can single-handedly take down the opposition.

Steve Smith, the former skipper of Rajasthan will be coming after the openers. Though he has just recovered from an injury, he will be looking to make the most of the IPL to make it back to the Australian team just like his deputy David Warner. He had an amazing IPL in 2017 where he was the highest scorer for his team and the fourth highest scorer overall. He is very well equipped technically and can play orthodox and as well as unorthodox shots all around the field. He will be vital for the Royals if they want to make it to the playoffs again this year.

After Smith, the most in-form batsmen of the year, Jos Buttler will come in. He has had a stellar year in cricket in all formats of the game and his recent 77-ball 150 showed his hitting abilities. He had a near perfect IPL in 2018 and came out all guns blazing as he scored a mammoth 548 runs at an average of 54.80 runs and a stunning strike rate of 155+. He would be really happy with himself if he can replicate in last year's performance.

After Buttler, Sanju Samson will take the responsibility of carrying his team to a big score. He has the ability to play the big shots and his recent scores have proven the same. He too had a brilliant outing in the 11th edition of the IPL scoring 441 runs at an excellent strike rate of 130+. He can also provide the batting order from collapsing if the top order fails.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL schedule, news, points table, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.