IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals' Predicted XI

Since the last time he played for Rajasthan Royals, Steve Smith has changed a lot as a cricketer. He has become more mature as a batsman, but his immaturity with regards to decision making on the field has handed him a one-year ban from cricket, as he was caught in a ball-tampering saga in a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.

The champions of the inaugural edition of the Indian cricketing extravaganza, Rajasthan Royals are yet to announce Smith’s replacement, but South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen is most likely to replace Smith. Let us have a look at how Rajasthan Royals can line up without their prized Australian asset.

Openers – Ajinkya Rahane and D’Arcy Short

Newly-appointed skipper Ajinkya Rahane looks all set to open the innings for the team from Rajasthan. Alongside him, Australian hot prospect D’Arcy Short should take control of the proceedings in the powerplay.

Rahane has been at his best in the IPL when he has opened the innings. Short, too, grabbed attention in the Big Bash League, where he used to open the innings for Hobart Hurricanes. By virtue of his scintillating performances, he got his call from the national side and has played 5 matches in the green shirt, in which he amassed 196 runs at a staggering average of 49.

Middle-order – Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler

Although Rahul Tripathi did an exceptional job last year for Rising Pune Supergiant playing as an opener alongside his current skipper Rahane, the son of an army man is most likely to get the number 3 role in RR. But that shouldn’t bother him, as he usually bats at number 3 in domestic cricket, as he did in the Vijay Hazare Trophy playing for his state Maharashtra.

The next two slots might be handed to Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler respectively. While Sanju is the best fit for the number 4 position, Buttler will have a different role in this IPL playing down the order, as he used to open the innings for Mumbai Indians in the previous seasons.

Lower-order – Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer

Ben Stokes is undoubtedly a specialist of the shortest format of the game. Handy with the ball, powerful with the bat and brilliant in the field, the Englishman checks all three boxes, therefore justifying his hefty price tag. He will be in charge of finishing the innings for the ‘Halla Bol’ army, batting at number 6.

Jofra Archer, another hot prospect who rose to fame by virtue of his amazing performances in the BBL for Hobart, belongs to the same breed. Though Jofra will be considered as a bowling alternative, he can very well strike the ball into the stands. His T20 batting average of over 20 and a strike rate of over 140 is a testament to it. However, Shreyas Gopal can also be considered to bat up the order, slipping Archer down to number 8.

Bowlers – Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal Kulkarni

If a team has got all-rounder Shreyas Gopal in number 8 position, we can conclude that they have got a line up that bats really deep. Gopal, as per the need of the hour, might slot in as number 7, but his prime role will be with the ball. The leggie will be supported by the offie from his state Karnataka, Krishnappa Gowtham. The spin-twins from South India will be managing the spin department of Rahane’s team.

The pace regiment will be headed by Indian left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat, for whom Royals had to break their bank. The Rs 11.5 crores seamer will be supported by the war veteran Dhawal Kulkarni, who had his best years of IPL playing for the Royals. Both Kulkarni and Unadkat are cunning with the ball, and have got a great repertoire of variations.

Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI:

Ajinkya Rahane (captain), D’Arcy Short, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson (wk), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni.

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