Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan will host Punjab for the second time in this year's IPL at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Tuesday.

Their first encounter was won by R Ashwin-led side by six wickets to become the third-best team in IPL, so far.&nbsp;

So, let's take a look at the players expected to perform in today's big clash

1. KL Rahul - KL Rahul played a yet another opener's knock against Rajasthan. He slammed an unbeaten 84 runs off 54 balls which included seven boundaries and three huge sixes. The Punjab opener single-handedly took the match away and ensured victory for his side. Today, when he plays once again against Rajasthan, he is sure to hit a half-century and award himself with the 'Orange Cap'.

2. Jos Buttler - The Rajasthan opener smashed 51 runs in his previous game against Punjab. He reached the mark in 39 balls to be the only Rajasthan player in form. Overall, Butler scored 238 runs in nine games with 67 being his highest. Today as well he will give an amazing head start to his team to set a mammoth target.

3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman - The Punjab bowler was awarded the 'Man of the Match' title in his previous game against Rajasthan, as he swung three crucial wickets of Rajasthan. The Afghan bowler has taken 12 wickets altogether in this season so far and is two wickets away from getting the 'Purple Cap'.&nbsp;

4. Andrew Tye - Tye knocked out two important players of Rajasthan -- Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi in his previous game. The Punjab bowler is capable of swinging wickets to help his side consolidate their position or even move up in the league table. "Purple Cap' is two wickets away for him.&nbsp;

5. Sanju Samson - Comparing his last two games, the Rajasthan batsman has not been able to do wonders with his bat. In his previous match against Punjab, he scored 28 runs off 23 balls and the only one who managed to hit a six. He will be an interesting player to watch out, as he will surely step down on the field today to score.&nbsp;

Today, Punjab stands a huge chance to beat Rajasthan again and become the second best team surpassing Chennai in the ongoing league.&nbsp;

Their first encounter was won by R Ashwin-led side by six wickets to become the third-best team in IPL, so far

Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan will host Punjab for the second time in this year's IPL at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Tuesday. Their first encounter was won by R Ashwin-led side by six wickets to become the third-best team in IPL, so far. So, let's take a look at the players expected to perform in today's big clash 1. KL Rahul - KL Rahul played a yet another opener's knock against Rajasthan. He slammed an unbeaten 84 runs off 54 balls which included seven boundaries and three huge sixes. The Punjab opener single-handedly took the match away and ensured victory for his side. Today, when he plays once again against Rajasthan, he is sure to hit a half-century and award himself with the 'Orange Cap'. 2. Jos Buttler - The Rajasthan opener smashed 51 runs in his previous game against Punjab. He reached the mark in 39 balls to be the only Rajasthan player in form. Overall, Butler scored 238 runs in nine games with 67 being his highest. Today as well he will give an amazing head start to his team to set a mammoth target. 3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman - The Punjab bowler was awarded the 'Man of the Match' title in his previous game against Rajasthan, as he swung three crucial wickets of Rajasthan. The Afghan bowler has taken 12 wickets altogether in this season so far and is two wickets away from getting the 'Purple Cap'. 4. Andrew Tye - Tye knocked out two important players of Rajasthan -- Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi in his previous game. The Punjab bowler is capable of swinging wickets to help his side consolidate their position or even move up in the league table. "Purple Cap' is two wickets away for him. 5. Sanju Samson - Comparing his last two games, the Rajasthan batsman has not been able to do wonders with his bat. In his previous match against Punjab, he scored 28 runs off 23 balls and the only one who managed to hit a six. He will be an interesting player to watch out, as he will surely step down on the field today to score. Today, Punjab stands a huge chance to beat Rajasthan again and become the second best team surpassing Chennai in the ongoing league.

IPL 2018: Players to watch out for in Punjab vs Rajasthan clash

Rajasthan Royals, the winner of Indian Premier League&#39;s inaugural edition, have marked an exciting return after a two-year ban with a very special and important cricketer, Shayne Warne, not as a player but as a mentor.

On his return, he said, &quot;I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey.

In the year 2015, Rajasthan Royals was found guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe along with another IPL giant, Chennai Super Kings. The panel also suspended Royals co-owner Raj Kundra from all cricket-related activities for life.

Now, the franchise is owned by Manoj Badale along with Aditya Chellaram, Lachlan Murdoch, Ryan Tkalcevic and Suresh Chellaram.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2018-squad-analysis-of-ms-dhonis-yellow-brigade-35660">IPL 2018: Squad analysis of MS Dhoni&#39;s &#39;Yellow Brigade&#39;</a>

If we talk about the team, Rajasthan Royals had retained an aggressive and intense Australian batsman Steve Smith before entering the auctions and used Right To Match card (RTM) to purchase calm and composed Ajinkya Rahane.

During the auction, they had shown an intent of structuring a well-balanced team by purchasing a variety of players. They made the most expensive buys of all time in the form of England&#39;s all-rounder, Ben Stokes for an amount of 12.5 cr.

Steve Smith-led Royals look alike another Pune Super Giants as most of Pune&#39;s talent have landed in Rajasthan.

They are definitely banking upon more overseas players especially all-rounders, who can provide options to the team but they do have a tangy Indian obscure flavour.

Foreigners like, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, D&#39;Arcy Short, are some crucial investments along with Indian talents Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat.

Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane will probably open for Rajasthan&nbsp;and there is&nbsp;a depth of batting in&nbsp;line up in the form of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/ipl-2018-all-teams-and-their-squad-list-653#photo-36184">IPL 2018: All teams and their squad list</a>

Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny have a good IPL record and can provide a winning essence to the team.

Jayadev Unadkat, the best purchase when it comes to bowling along with Dhawal Kulkarni, Jofra Archer but the team lacks in spin department as spinners Dushmantha Chameera and K Gowtham need to prove their talents in a larger extent.

All in all, Rajasthan Royals is a team whose playing XI is massive in terms of variety but if any player misfires or suffers an injury then the option of replacement is less as the bench is comparatively inexperienced.

Here is the complete squad of the Rajasthan Royals:&nbsp;Steve Smith,&nbsp;Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tripathi, D&#39;Arcy Short, Jofra Archer, K Gowtham, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Shreyas Gopal, MS Midhun, Prashant Chopra, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Aryaman Birla, Jatin Saxena, Dushmantha Chameera

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From Dhoni to Kohli, here&#39;s a list of all the leading run-scorers in IPL. Number 1 rank might surprise you (Zee News Network)
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Steve Smith-led Royals look alike another Pune Super Giants as most of Pune's talent have landed in Rajasthan

Rajasthan Royals, the winner of Indian Premier League's inaugural edition, have marked an exciting return after a two-year ban with a very special and important cricketer, Shayne Warne, not as a player but as a mentor. On his return, he said, "I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey. In the year 2015, Rajasthan Royals was found guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe along with another IPL giant, Chennai Super Kings. The panel also suspended Royals co-owner Raj Kundra from all cricket-related activities for life. Now, the franchise is owned by Manoj Badale along with Aditya Chellaram, Lachlan Murdoch, Ryan Tkalcevic and Suresh Chellaram. IPL 2018: Squad analysis of MS Dhoni's 'Yellow Brigade' If we talk about the team, Rajasthan Royals had retained an aggressive and intense Australian batsman Steve Smith before entering the auctions and used Right To Match card (RTM) to purchase calm and composed Ajinkya Rahane. During the auction, they had shown an intent of structuring a well-balanced team by purchasing a variety of players. They made the most expensive buys of all time in the form of England's all-rounder, Ben Stokes for an amount of 12.5 cr. Steve Smith-led Royals look alike another Pune Super Giants as most of Pune's talent have landed in Rajasthan. They are definitely banking upon more overseas players especially all-rounders, who can provide options to the team but they do have a tangy Indian obscure flavour. Foreigners like, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, D'Arcy Short, are some crucial investments along with Indian talents Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat. Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane will probably open for Rajasthan and there is a depth of batting in line up in the form of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler. IPL 2018: All teams and their squad list Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny have a good IPL record and can provide a winning essence to the team. Jayadev Unadkat, the best purchase when it comes to bowling along with Dhawal Kulkarni, Jofra Archer but the team lacks in spin department as spinners Dushmantha Chameera and K Gowtham need to prove their talents in a larger extent. All in all, Rajasthan Royals is a team whose playing XI is massive in terms of variety but if any player misfires or suffers an injury then the option of replacement is less as the bench is comparatively inexperienced. Here is the complete squad of the Rajasthan Royals: Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tripathi, D'Arcy Short, Jofra Archer, K Gowtham, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Shreyas Gopal, MS Midhun, Prashant Chopra, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Aryaman Birla, Jatin Saxena, Dushmantha Chameera From Dhoni to Kohli, here's a list of all the leading run-scorers in IPL. Number 1 rank might surprise you (Zee News Network) ×

IPL 2018: Squad analysis of Rajasthan Royals, the prodigal son returns

&nbsp;A scintillating century from Jos Buttler led a late England charge against a full-strength Australian pace attack in the third one-day international in Sydney&nbsp;today.

Already ahead 2-0 in the five-match series, the tourists were sent in by Australian captain Steve Smith and initially found life tougher than in their two previous wins on a slightly tricky wicket.

Several English batsmen got promising starts, but it was wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler who helped them post an imposing 302 for six from their 50 overs.

Buttler notched his five one-day international century from the last ball of the innings, as England helped themselves to 38 off the last two overs.

He faced 83 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes, in a dashing innings that gathered momentum in the last 10 overs.

Just as England appeared to be struggling against a full-strength Australian attack, Buttler found a willing ally in Chris Woakes late in the innings, the seamer making 53 from 36 balls in a partnership of 113 in 11.5 overs.

Australia recalled pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the match, the first time in the one-day series the trio of Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, which spearheaded the 4-0 Ashes win, had been reunited.

The tactic appeared to be working until Buttler and Woakes came together.

The English were helped by sloppy Australian fielding, with four missed catches and two botched run out attempts.

The easiest of the catches to go to grass during the English innings was a howler by Cameron White, who failed to get a hand to a skied chance from Moeen Ali when he was on one.

Mitchell Marsh was the unlucky bowler, but had his revenge a few minutes later when he bowled Ali for six, continuing the all-rounder&#39;s wretched tour.

Smith dropped Eoin Morgan (41) 18 from the bowling of spinner Adam Zampa, while Starc got his fingers to a tough caught-and-bowled chance.

Needing a win to stay in the series, Australia recalled Hazlewood, Cummins, wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Zampa, at the expense, of Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Travis Head and Alex Carey.

Buttler helped England post an imposing 302 for six from their 50 overs

A scintillating century from Jos Buttler led a late England charge against a full-strength Australian pace attack in the third one-day international in Sydney today. Already ahead 2-0 in the five-match series, the tourists were sent in by Australian captain Steve Smith and initially found life tougher than in their two previous wins on a slightly tricky wicket. Several English batsmen got promising starts, but it was wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler who helped them post an imposing 302 for six from their 50 overs. Buttler notched his five one-day international century from the last ball of the innings, as England helped themselves to 38 off the last two overs. He faced 83 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes, in a dashing innings that gathered momentum in the last 10 overs. Just as England appeared to be struggling against a full-strength Australian attack, Buttler found a willing ally in Chris Woakes late in the innings, the seamer making 53 from 36 balls in a partnership of 113 in 11.5 overs. Australia recalled pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the match, the first time in the one-day series the trio of Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, which spearheaded the 4-0 Ashes win, had been reunited. The tactic appeared to be working until Buttler and Woakes came together. The English were helped by sloppy Australian fielding, with four missed catches and two botched run out attempts. The easiest of the catches to go to grass during the English innings was a howler by Cameron White, who failed to get a hand to a skied chance from Moeen Ali when he was on one. Mitchell Marsh was the unlucky bowler, but had his revenge a few minutes later when he bowled Ali for six, continuing the all-rounder's wretched tour. Smith dropped Eoin Morgan (41) 18 from the bowling of spinner Adam Zampa, while Starc got his fingers to a tough caught-and-bowled chance. Needing a win to stay in the series, Australia recalled Hazlewood, Cummins, wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Zampa, at the expense, of Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Travis Head and Alex Carey.

Jos Buttler does it for England in third ODI against Australia

England amassed a world record one-day international total of 444 for three as they crushed Pakistan by 169 runs at Trent Bridge on Tuesday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. 
 
Jos Buttler struck the last ball of the innings for four to take Eoin Morgan&#39;s men past Sri Lanka&#39;s 443 for nine against Netherlands in July 2006. 
 
Hales plundered 171, the highest individual limited-overs score by an England batsman, before Buttler reached his fifty off 22 deliveries, another record for his country. 
 
The hosts passed their previous highest total of 408 for nine, made against New Zealand last year, while captain Morgan got to his half-century off 24 deliveries as he and Buttler shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 161. 
 
&quot;Quite a monumental knock from Alex Hales,&quot; said Morgan. &quot;To score 171 in any form of the game is remarkable and our innings was based around that. 
 
&quot;Records are hugely important, it emphasises we&#39;re not just a chasing side. We probably have 17 or 18 players who have played in the last year and a half and could come into this side.&quot; 
 
Hales flayed four sixes and 22 fours in his 122-ball knock to surpass Robin Smith&#39;s 167 not out against Australia in Birmingham in 1993. 
 
Caught off a no-ball on 72 and dropped on 114, the 27-year-old right-hander passed Smith&#39;s score by pulling Hasan Ali to the mid-wicket boundary. 
 
Pakistan pain 
 
The bowler trapped him lbw with the next delivery to end a second-wicket stand of 248 with Joe Root, who fell soon after for 85, but the pain was far from over for the Pakistan bowlers. 
 
Buttler hammered six sixes and three fours to get to his half-century and finished 90 not out off 51 balls while Morgan ended unbeaten on 57. 
 
Hales and Root&#39;s partnership was also England&#39;s third-highest in one-day internationals. 
 
Pakistan, in reply, were bowled out for 275 in 42.4 overs with paceman Chris Woakes the chief destroyer, taking four for 41. 
 
Opener Sharjeel Khan hit 58 but wickets fell at regular intervals until Mohammad Amir smashed 58 in 28 balls to share an unlikely last-wicket stand of 76 with Yasir Shah (26 not out). 
 
Amir&#39;s half-century was the first by a number 11 in ODIs. 
 
&quot;It was very tough today,&quot; said Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali. &quot;I think they were exceptional innings from Hales and Buttler. 
 
&quot;On a wicket like this you really need to support the bowlers and that didn&#39;t happen.&quot;

(Reuters)

Pakistan were bowled out for 275 in 42.4 overs with paceman Chris Woakes taking four for 41

England amassed a world record one-day international total of 444 for three as they crushed Pakistan by 169 runs at Trent Bridge on Tuesday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Jos Buttler struck the last ball of the innings for four to take Eoin Morgan's men past Sri Lanka's 443 for nine against Netherlands in July 2006. Hales plundered 171, the highest individual limited-overs score by an England batsman, before Buttler reached his fifty off 22 deliveries, another record for his country. The hosts passed their previous highest total of 408 for nine, made against New Zealand last year, while captain Morgan got to his half-century off 24 deliveries as he and Buttler shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 161. "Quite a monumental knock from Alex Hales," said Morgan. "To score 171 in any form of the game is remarkable and our innings was based around that. "Records are hugely important, it emphasises we're not just a chasing side. We probably have 17 or 18 players who have played in the last year and a half and could come into this side." Hales flayed four sixes and 22 fours in his 122-ball knock to surpass Robin Smith's 167 not out against Australia in Birmingham in 1993. Caught off a no-ball on 72 and dropped on 114, the 27-year-old right-hander passed Smith's score by pulling Hasan Ali to the mid-wicket boundary. Pakistan pain The bowler trapped him lbw with the next delivery to end a second-wicket stand of 248 with Joe Root, who fell soon after for 85, but the pain was far from over for the Pakistan bowlers. Buttler hammered six sixes and three fours to get to his half-century and finished 90 not out off 51 balls while Morgan ended unbeaten on 57. Hales and Root's partnership was also England's third-highest in one-day internationals. Pakistan, in reply, were bowled out for 275 in 42.4 overs with paceman Chris Woakes the chief destroyer, taking four for 41. Opener Sharjeel Khan hit 58 but wickets fell at regular intervals until Mohammad Amir smashed 58 in 28 balls to share an unlikely last-wicket stand of 76 with Yasir Shah (26 not out). Amir's half-century was the first by a number 11 in ODIs. "It was very tough today," said Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali. "I think they were exceptional innings from Hales and Buttler. "On a wicket like this you really need to support the bowlers and that didn't happen." (Reuters)

Cricket: England seals series with record-breaking win against Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler believes England&#39;s batsmen should continue to be aggressive and play even more shots, even as the team&#39;s top-order crumbled against Sri Lanka in the tied first one-day international on Tuesday. 
 
Chasing a target of 287, England were reduced to 30 for four and then 82 for six before Buttler made 93 and Chris Woakes 95*, to give the hosts a chance of winning at Trent Bridge. 
 
Liam Plunkett then smashed the last ball of the match for six to earn his team a dramatic tie against the touring side. 
 
&quot;If anything we should come out and play even more shots,&quot; Buttler was quoted as saying by the British media. &quot;That&#39;s the way we want to play our cricket. We want to put teams under pressure and there&#39;s no reason to change. This style of cricket has been good fun to play in and has given us some success.&quot; 
 
England have displayed freedom and exuberance in their approach to the limited-overs formats since their humiliating group stage exit at last year&#39;s 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 
 
Joe Root has been talismanic with the bat for them, but the right-hander has suffered a dip in form, scoring just 89 runs in his last five international innings, 80 of which came in one knock. 
 
Buttler feared it might have been caused by the heavy workload on Root&#39;s shoulders. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s one of the best in the world and it&#39;s probably just because of the high standards he&#39;s set...I&#39;m sure he&#39;ll bounce back,&quot; Buttler said. 
 
&quot;He plays all forms of the game and I think that&#39;s something England management always have to be careful with...he&#39;s a very important player and if he needs a rest he&#39;ll say he needs a rest and that will happen.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The wicket-keeper batsman finds the style fun to play and a good way to win

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler believes England's batsmen should continue to be aggressive and play even more shots, even as the team's top-order crumbled against Sri Lanka in the tied first one-day international on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 287, England were reduced to 30 for four and then 82 for six before Buttler made 93 and Chris Woakes 95*, to give the hosts a chance of winning at Trent Bridge. Liam Plunkett then smashed the last ball of the match for six to earn his team a dramatic tie against the touring side. "If anything we should come out and play even more shots," Buttler was quoted as saying by the British media. "That's the way we want to play our cricket. We want to put teams under pressure and there's no reason to change. This style of cricket has been good fun to play in and has given us some success." England have displayed freedom and exuberance in their approach to the limited-overs formats since their humiliating group stage exit at last year's 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Joe Root has been talismanic with the bat for them, but the right-hander has suffered a dip in form, scoring just 89 runs in his last five international innings, 80 of which came in one knock. Buttler feared it might have been caused by the heavy workload on Root's shoulders. "He's one of the best in the world and it's probably just because of the high standards he's set...I'm sure he'll bounce back," Buttler said. "He plays all forms of the game and I think that's something England management always have to be careful with...he's a very important player and if he needs a rest he'll say he needs a rest and that will happen." (Reuters)

Buttler backs England to stay aggressive

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IPL 2018: Players to watch out for in Punjab vs Rajasthan clash

IPL 2018: Squad analysis of Rajasthan Royals, the prodigal son returns

Jos Buttler does it for England in third ODI against Australia

Cricket: England seals series with record-breaking win against Pakistan

Buttler backs England to stay aggressive