#2 Steve Smith

Undoubtedly, Royals are highly dependent on him at No. 3. Though he did not have a great start to the campaign as per the expectations, he has slowly and steadily started to perform. He hit a steady 31-ball 38 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and finally struck form with an unbeaten 59-ball 73 although it came in a losing cause against the Kolkata Knight Riders. With a tough opponent like CSK lined up, the Royals would need him to use all his experience and get the better of them.