IPL 2018: Match 18: CSK vs RR - Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI

The Rajasthan Royals have thus far won 2 matches and have lost as many in the ongoing season of the IPL. The Men in Blue have a strong side on paper but they haven’t been able to fire on all cylinders so far in the IPL 2018. Ajinkya Rahane led team had lost their last match against KKR and would like to bounce back to winning track.

Foreign players like D’Arcy Short, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes haven’t looked at their usual best with the bat and they need to get going. Their batting hasn’t been able to do a live up to the expectations as only Sanju Samson has scored most of their runs.

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Rajasthan Royals will like to get back on winning track.

Royals can also promote Rahul Tripathi up the order, as he had done a fine job for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous season. The Rajasthan franchise can also play Jofra Archer in place of Ben Laughlin. The Jamaican had impressed with his brisk pace in the Big Bash League.

The champions of the inaugural season would come up against their long-time nemesis, Chennai Super Kings in Friday’s game in Pune.

Here is the Predicted XI of the Rajasthan Royals

Ajinkya Rahane

The rookie Rajasthan Royals skipper, Ajinkya Rahane has been able to get off to decent starts in the last two matches but had failed to convert them into a substantial score.

The captain would like to make the most of his starts once he hits the paddle running.

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi is expected to get back in the top order, as D’Arcy Short has struggled to prove his mettle. The right-hander can make use of the fielding restrictions in the first six overs, as he is a sweet timer of the ball.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has looked the class apart.

Samson has been Royal’s best batsman thus far. Kerala batsman is a perfect timer of the ball and it is a treat to watch him bat.

Everything about his batting is perfect and the class with which he bats makes him the cynosure of all eyes.

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has been given a chance in the middle order. The best all-rounder in the world hasn’t been able to capitalize on the couple of good starts he had got as he has been dismissed in after getting past 20.

Jos Buttler

Buttler too hasn’t looked at his best but it should also be noted that he is getting fewer deliveries. The power-hitting capabilities of English player is well known and he would like to cash in.

Heinrich Klaasen

Proteas Heinrich Klaasen had shown great skills against the potent Indian spin battery of Chahal and Yadav. The right-hander can be utilized, as the CSK is expected to play three spinners in Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir, and Ravindra Jadeja. The South African had shown great resilience against the quality Indian spinners and he can be drafted in place D’Arcy Short.

Krishnappa Gowtham 

Gowtham had bowled a tight spell of two for 23 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the last match. The right-hander will also look to contribute with the bat if he is presented with an opportunity.

Shreyas Gopal

The leg-spinner had impressed in the match against RCB when he was able to catch two big fishes in AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in his spin web. The leg-spinner will like to keep the delivering the goods.

Ben Laughlin

The fast bowler Ben Laughlin has done a good job and he is mixing his variations nicely. The Royals pacer was the on the expensive side in the last match and would like to improve his performance.

Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat hasn’t been able to do justice with his role. The medium pacer should not take extra pressure of the price for which he has been bought and should back himself. It is well said by Emil Zatopek that an athlete cannot run with money in his pocket but he must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.

Dhawal Kulkarni

It is noted that Kulkarni is not bowling his full quota of overs. The Mumbai bowler had conceded 20 runs in just two overs in the last match.

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