Rajasthan Royals predicted XI for IPL 2021

Middle Order: Sanju Samson (c), Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag

Sanju Samson will take over the RR captaincy from Steve Smith

Newly appointed captain Sanju Samson should continue to bat at No. 3 for RR in IPL 2021. The Kerala-born batsman has the full backing of the RR support staff, but he has a real task on his hands to help the team qualify for the playoffs in his first season at the helm.

It remains to be seen how captaincy affects Samson's batting. He is a player who has never been afraid to play his shots, and he has come under immense criticism for the same. No longer part of the Indian T20 squad, Samson will have to be adept at shutting out all external noise and backing his strengths.

RR have players who can roll their arm over starting from No. 4. Although RR Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara said Ben Stokes won't bowl much in IPL 2021 in order to prevent burnout, the Englishman is the first in a long line of all-rounders.

Following Stokes will be young Riyan Parag, who was decent with the bat in a couple of games last year but didn't get to bowl much. The youngster will be RR's third spin option, but his main role will be in the batting department. He'll want to translate his obvious potential into a couple of match-winning performances.

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All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris

Rahul Tewatia earned a maiden India call-up for the England T20Is

RR's hero of IPL 2020 Rahul Tewatia will be flanked by pace-bowling all-rounders Chris Morris and Shivam Dube on either side in the batting lineup. Tewatia recently earned his first call-up to the Indian team for the England T20I series, and he'll likely come into this year's IPL with a lot of confidence.

Dube and Morris, who were signed for a combined sum of over INR 20 crores, will be keen on contributing in both departments for RR. While Dube shouldn't be needed with the ball too often, the South African will need to give Jofra Archer some much-needed support.

Morris and Dube don't play international cricket anymore, and they might take a few games to get used to the demands of the IPL.