Strongest Starting XI of all teams after IPL Auction

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals invested heavily in fast bowlers, picking up Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron and Oshane Thomas, with Unadkat being the joint highest player for a hefty Rs 8.4 crore. The side also invested quite some money in young Indian talent. Steve Smith would be expected to assume the leadership reins after serving the one-year ban for ball tampering.

Let's have a look at the strongest team that could be fielded by the Royals:

RR Strongest Starting XI - Manan Vohra, Jos Buttler (wk), Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith (c), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shashank Singh, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Shreyas Gopal

Jos Buttler, who changed the side's fortunes last season after being promoted, would most likely start off the innings again. He might have a new partner in Manan Vohra. Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Sanju Samson shall most probably be anchoring the innings, with Stokes, Gowtham and newbie Shashank assuming the finisher's role.

The pace attack would comprise of Unadkat, yorker specialist Jofra Archer, with the latter's compatriot Stokes. Gowtham and Gopal are expected to be the main spinners, with Shashank having the ability to chip in with his off-break.

Rajasthan would be hoping to emulate the feat of the first season with a blend of youth and experience.

Kings XI Punjab

Punjab was the busiest team in the auction, consolidating their squad with 13 players. Having traded Marcus Stoinis for Mandeep Singh, the side picked up a mix of seasoned and young campaigners, picking up the likes of Mohammad Shami and Moises Henriques, along with Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Sarfaraz Khan and Akshdeep Nath.

The most hair-raising pick was mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who attracted a hefty Rs 8.4 crore, becoming the joint most expensive bid this season.

Let's have a look at their possible starting side :

KXIP Strongest Starting XI - KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Aggarwal, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Karun Nair, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Andrew Tye, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Ravichandran Ashwin would continue to assume the apex duties of the side. Punjab shall, in all probability, continue with the same opening combination as the last season, with Aggarwal, Prabhsimran, and Karun building the innings. Sam Curran can possibly fit into the shoes of a finisher, with five bowlers to follow. The spin combination of Ashwin and Rahman would be supplemented with the mystery spin of Chakravarthy, while T20 specialist Tye, along with Shami and Curran would be in-charge of the seam department.

The side would aspire to get the ball rolling with a new squad and finally end the title drought.