IPL 2019: What the teams are looking for in the auction

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Rajasthan was another team apart from CSK who made a comeback into the tournament after facing a 2-year ban. This team, known for winning the first edition of the tournament, went into the auction with full throttle. RR had the top 2 bids in the auction as they bought the services of Ben Stokes and Jaydev Unadkat. With players like Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Sanju Samson, RR had a great top order.

Further into the auction, Rajasthan bought Jos Buttler, who along with Stokes were the anchors of the middle order. Darcy Short was also included into the squad. After Smith was banned from playing the IPL, Short got to play in the XI.

RR came back to IPL after 2 years and finished 3rd

The bowling was also good with Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jofra Archer and Ben Laughlin. Overall the team who wore the blue and pink jersey was a decent and competitive one. This year however, it is going to be a different story. Rajasthan have released Short, Laughlin and even Jaydev Unadkat.

Rajasthan has their top order set for the next season, as they have retained Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler. The middle order has Stokes and Binny, Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal.

The team management might like to add another middle-order batsman into the squad in the auction. The bowling department has Dhawal Kulkarni, Ish Sodhi and Jofra Archer. Here too, the lack of an experienced spinner is what Rajasthan will have to address.

So, in the 9 slots available, RR needs a middle order batsman, a couple of spinners and a fast bowler. If they can manage this in 20.95 Cr, RR will also be a competitive side.