IPL 2019: What should be Rajasthan Royals' ideal playing XI

The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, have often been praised as the smartest team in the IPL. This IPL franchise in their formative years depended on the underrated youngsters and raised them into superstars of tomorrow. In 2015, they received a severe blow when the franchise was suspended for two years. The Royals returned in style in the 2018 IPL and finished fourth after the playoffs.

The Jaipur-based franchise used data analytics heavily for the IPL 2019 auction and landed with many new names while maintaining the successful core from 2018. Royals bought back Jaydev Unadkat and signed upcoming stars like Oshane Thomas, Liam Livingstone and Ashton Turner. Steve Smith shall also return to the side with his ban coming to an end.

The Royals already have proven performers in Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes in their arsenal. Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler were outstanding performers in their inaugural season of the IPL. Krishnappa Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal proved valuable in short stints. With fresh reinforcements and growing confidence, Rajasthan Royals will be one of the contenders for the title in 2019 IPL.

Following eleven men can realize this dream.

#1. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

The English wicketkeeper-batsman is one of the most explosive batsmen in the cricket world currently. Buttler is the perfect mix of power and innovation. He can smash one ball into the stands and follow it up with a ramp shot over the wicketkeeper’s head for a six. The Royals initially used Buttler in the middle-order but his real worth came into view once he was sent to open the innings.

Buttler smacked five consecutive half-centuries and transformed the fortunes of Rajasthan Royals. He soon had to leave for completing national duty and missed out on playoffs. He will be the greatest asset of Royals.

#2. Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi

The Pune-based opener was a success in the 2017 season for Rising Pune Supergiants. Rajasthan bought him for the IPL 2018 once Pune team was dissolved. The side, however, failed to extract the best from Rahul Tripathi.

In 12 matches, Rahul accounted for only 226 runs at an average of 25. He was utilized in the lower middle order where hardly any time to show his potential. At the opening spot, Tripathi will be best placed to make the best of the powerplay.

#3. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

IPL 2018 was not the most fruitful for Ajinkya Rahane. His season tally of 370 runs from 14 matches may not sound disastrous but his strike rate of 118 costed the team on multiple occasions. Batting at the top, Rahane was unable to use powerplay overs effectively and this piled up pressure on the middle order. His only fifty, 65 not out (53 balls), resulted in the team’s loss.

Batting at number three, Rahane can play the role of the anchor without wasting the powerplay overs. He can be the pillar which will support the remaining batting unit.

#4. Steve Smith

Steve Smith

The Australian run-machine was barred from the IPL last year which proved to be a body blow to the Rajasthan Royals. Smith will be allowed to play this year with his ban coming to an end. In the suspension year, Smith played in various T20 Leagues around the world in a bid to keep himself in the touch. This should help him once he arrives back at the Indian Premier League. He has over 1700 runs in the IPL and had also scored a century in the 2016 edition.

#5. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson

The Kerala batsman has been an integral part of the Rajasthan Royals' squad. Samson performed consistently in the 2018 season and emerged as the second highest run-getter for the side with 441 runs in 15 matches. His runs came at a strike rate of 137. Samson cruised to the fifties on three occasions. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be a key batsman in the middle order for Royals who can go berserk in the end overs if required.

#6. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes emerged as the most expensive overseas player bought in the auction for IPL 2018. He failed to do justice to his batting talent and returned with only 196 runs in 13 matches. The all-rounder was slightly more successful with the ball and snapped up eight wickets in the season. The English all-rounder will be eager to prove his skills this season.

Royals can use Ben Stokes as a floater. He can be promoted to bat at number three where he can have the license to decimate the bowling lineups.

#7. Krishnappa Gowtham

K Gowtham

Krishnappa Gowtham was the surprise package in the last year’s IPL when he bought for a whopping amount of 6.2 crores by Rajasthan Royals. The off-spinner from Karnataka was useful with the bat in the lower middle order and impressed with the ball. Gowtham finished with 11 wickets from 15 matches thus becoming the joint second-highest wicket-taker for the Royals.

Gowtham’s 33 not out from 11 balls helped RR secure a miraculous victory over Mumbai Indians. This season, there will be higher expectations from him.

#8. Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer

The fast-bowler originally from Barbados gained considerable fame for his bowling in English county circuit. The 23-year old bowler will be eligible to play for England soon, and the International cricket anticipates him. Jofra Archer finished as the highest wicket-taker for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018 with 15 wickets despite playing a few games lesser than other bowlers.

Archer is renowned for his buzzing yorkers delivered at the speed in excess of 145 kmph. The youngster will be wiser and stronger in the upcoming season.

#9. Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal

The 25-year old Karnataka bowler began his cricket career as a middle-order batsman but soon established himself in the side as a leg-spinner. He earlier was a part of the Mumbai Indian in 2014 where he was bought for the base price. In 2018, he joined Rajasthan Royals and had a premier spot in the side as a legspinner. Gopal ended up with 11 wickets from 11 matches and recorded the best bowling figures as 4/16. He will play a vital part in Royal’s campaign this year.

#10. Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat

There was a lot of discussion regarding Rajasthan Royals’ move of buying Jaydev Unadkat for 11.5 crore rupees in the 2018 IPL auction. The Saurashtra bowler had dominated the 2017 season and was rewarded by being the most expensive Indian player in the 2018 auction. Playing under pressure, Unadkat picked up 11 wickets but leaked 9.65 runs per over.

Royal subsequently released Unadkat and bought the left-arm seamer back for 8.4 crores. He will be pace spearhead alongside Jofra Archer.

#11. Dhawal Kulkarni

Dhawal Kulkarni

The medium-pace bowler from Mumbai has been a silent performer in the IPL over the years. In 80 IPL games, Kulkarni has captured 79 wickets with an economy rate around eight. IPL 2016 was his best season where he ended up grabbing 18 wickets from 14 matches. In 2018, he was inconsistent. Kulkarni was included in only eight matches where he ended up with four wickets. Lately, he has been plagued with injuries, but Royals do not have a better Indian pace bowler than him.