IPL 2018 Auction: What team combinations to expect

Rajasthan Royals

Can RR get back their mojo after two years away?

Players retained - Steven Smith

Right to match cards available : 3

The team that will form a squad right from scratch in true regards will be the Royals. They have retained Steven Smith, who is a proven match winner in any format, playing for any side in the world.

Their options for the usage of RTM cards are Ajinkya Rahane, Ankit Sharma, Rajat Bhatia, James Faulkner and Dhawal Kulkarni, and perhaps the only player that has any chance of being retained is Ajinkya Rahane.

Though Rahane has been going through a lean phase in international cricket, his numbers in IPL are pretty impressive, and he provides solidity at the top of the order, which is vital in T20 cricket. James Faulkner has an outside chance of being retained, but his drop in form in the last year or so might go against him.

Rajasthan Royals have always believed in grooming young cricketers rather than buying well established ones, so you might see a lot of surprises coming from the Royals camp.

Prediction for the RTM cards - Ajinkya Rahane