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

#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.