IPL 2019: Three biggest match-winners for Rajasthan Royals
The IPL auctions are done and dusted, and the teams are all ready to go. Every team has a squad that looks strong enough to fancy their chances of getting into the knock-out stages. It was a well balanced auction and every team left the auction room with a smile on their face. Every team has some players who could potentially play a significant role in the tournament.
Here is a look at three such players from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) who will have a big role in how far the team goes in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Jos Buttler
This hard hitting English batsman is as good as any in the world at this moment. Last year, RR secured his services from Mumbai Indians and tried him in the middle order. He did not give the desired results there and hence was promoted to the top.
As soon as he started opening, the results were there to see. He exploded like a bomb and scored bucket load of runs. His strike rate jumped and he ended with 548 runs against his name in just 13 matches. He was a find for Rajasthan, who were returning to IPL after 2 years.
No doubt he was retained this year, and though his availability remains a question, he could be devastating in whatever matches he is available for. He can lay a solid foundation up top for the incoming batsmen to ease up and play their natural game. He also covers the slot of a wicket-keeper in the team for the Royals.
Ben Stokes
Another Englishman, probably the best all-rounder in international circuit right now, cost Rajasthan 12.5 Cr in last year's auction. He looked rusty in last year's IPL, but seems to have found his form in the recent past and will try and carry the form in the upcoming season, effectively turning matches for the Royals.
He is a batting all-rounder who will also give you crucial breakthroughs as and when needed. He started his IPL career with RPS in 2017, scoring a century, while also taking 12 wickets for the team. Stokes has some great variations with the ball and can be used as a floater in the middle order.
He has a very good sense of the game and can very well control the pace of the match to his own will. He is a gun fielder as well, and all this combined skills makes him a great package. He is an asset for RR and the team will hope that he is able to turn matches and take the team as far as possible in IPL 2019.
Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer, another overseas player for Rajasthan, is a player from West Indies who could be seen in the England jersey in the future. He is currently a player who is known for his performances in the T20 leagues all around the world.
He shot to fame in the 2017-18 season of BBL in Australia. Owing to that performance, Rajasthan bought him in the 2018 auction. It was his debut season with the Royals, and he got 10 chances to take the field. In these 10 matches, Archer performed well and impressed his team enough to be retained for next season.
He took 15 wickets at an average of 21.66. Rajasthan would be waiting to include him into the XI this year and see how he performs. He has a mix of pace and variations that batsmen find difficult to read and that makes him a special bowler. Overall, Archer does have the capacity to take more wickets and win matches for his team.
Rajasthan Royals also have players like Steve Smith, Oshane Thomas, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Gopal who too have the capability to win matches for the Royals single-handedly.
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