IPL 2019: Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each team

#6 Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will be boosted with the return of Steve Smith

Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Shubham Ranjane, Ashton Turner, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Sudhesan Midhun, Jaydev Unadkat, Ish Sodhi, Prashant Chopra, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Aryaman Birla, Riyan Parag, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jofra Archer, Krishnappa Gowtham, Liam Livingstone, Varun Aaron, Jos Buttler, Shashank Singh, Manan Vohra, Rahul Tripathi

Strengths

The biggest positive for Rajasthan Royals is their middle order. Steve Smith, the wily Sanju Samson followed by Ben Stokes and Rahul Tripathi make the batting order look robust. Jos Buttler at the top of the order is a different proposition altogether as well.

Weaknesses

RR's bowling is a huge worry. Oshane Thomas and Jofra Archer lack experience, and it is still to be seen whether either of them will take the new ball. Dhawal Kulkarni has been under-fire of late too. Couple that with Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Aaron's economy rates, and you'd know they aren't the strongest bowling side.

Verdict

They do have fine foreign talent, along with entertainers such as Krishnappa Gowtham. The Jaipur-based team will have to play their hearts out and sort out the right bowling combinations in order to challenge for the top spots.