IPL 2020: RR's predicted playing XI

Middle Order: Sanju Samson, Steve Smith (c), Robin Uthappa (wk)

Steve Smith hasn't been in great form in the T20I format

There is a huge cloud surrounding the batting positions of these three batsmen, but this is the order that will be best for the team.

Given Sanju Samson's capabilities against the new ball and the fact that he has batted in the top 3 for the majority of his IPL career, he will come in at No. 3. The Kerala batsman has been on the fringes of the Indian T20I for some time now, and will be keen on staking a claim for a place in the T20 World Cup squad.

Captain Steve Smith shouldn't bat any lower than No. 4, which pushes Robin Uthappa down to No. 5. The former Australian captain will play the anchor role for RR in IPL 2020, and the other batsmen in the middle order will bat around him.

He hasn't been in great form in the T20I format, and didn't cross 20 runs in any of the three games that he played recently against England. However, Smith is a world-class player irrespective of the format and will lead RR from the front in IPL 2020. Like it did for him with Australia, leadership will elevate the unorthodox batsman's game.

Uthappa will have to play at an unfamiliar No. 5 role, and he didn't do very well for KKR when he was deployed lower down the order. However, he has the ability to play the big shots and his experience will definitely help him adjust to the position.

Both Samson and Buttler are far more athletic than Uthappa, and this might lead to the 34-year-old taking up the wicket-keeping duties in IPL 2020. He will have to at his best in the UAE against the spinners on the slow and low tracks.