IPL Auctions 2018: Players that every team should target

Rajasthan Royals: Ben Stokes

Player retained: Steve Smith

Stokes was the most expensive player in the last auction

Rajasthan Royals have always been a team that have put their faith in younger players. They have nurtured the likes of Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, and Karun Nair amongst the others. All these players have achieved a considerable amount of success playing for India.

However, a much-forgotten fact is that the Royals always had some solid international stars in their ranks. Shane Warne, Graeme Smith, Shane Watson and James Faulkner have represented the team in various seasons.

However, Watson and Faulkner have been very inconsistent in the past couple of seasons. Kevon Cooper has faded into obscurity and hence the team would like to add some new all-rounders to the roster.

Ben Stokes became the most expensive international player in the history of the IPL last season. He was bought for a whopping sum of over 2 million USD by RPS. Stokes proved to be worth that money and scored 306 runs in his 12 matches. He also scalped 12 wickets in what was a great season for RPS.

Stokes can add some real quality and depth to RR's squad. He is one of few players who can bowl the entire quota of four overs and bat in the top five positions for a team.

If Rajasthan acquire his services, they will surely be genuine title-contenders.