Watson weighs up batting options for IPL

Reborn in the middle order during Australia's successful World Cup campaign, allrounder Shane Watson is playing his cards close to his chest when it comes to his batting position in the Indian Premier League.

Watson was dropped midway through the World Cup after a string of below-par performances at No.3, but recalled after missing the game against Afghanistan.

He followed the recall with scores of 67 against Sri Lanka in Sydney, an unbeaten 64 in the quarter-final against Pakistan in Adelaide, and 28 in the semi-final against India back at the SCG. He was also present in the middle when Steve Smith hit the World Cup-winning runs in the final.

However, attention now turns to the IPL and, as captain of the Rajasthan Royals, Watson has the power to decide his own position in the line-up.

Season preview: Rajasthan Royals

"It's something I will sit and talk with everyone, the coaching staff and the group and do what works well for us," Watson said at the team's season launch.

"I have my own thoughts and (I would like to) let the other guys share theirs as well. We will try and get the best results. We are incredibly lucky to have some of the best batsmen in our squad.

"The most important thing in the IPL is to get off to a good start and we know we have to hit the ground running. But we know we have the players capable of doing that."

Last year, Watson batted at four or five, scoring 240 runs from 13 games at an average of 20. It was a far cry from results when batting in the top three in previous seasons. He scored 548 runs in 2013, and had plundered 255 runs at 42.5 from seven matches in 2012.

Watson's reduced output coincided with Rajasthan failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, finishing fifth with seven wins and as man losses, narrowly outed from the final four on net run rate.

Complicating matters is Watson's Australian teammate, Steve Smith, who also makes a strong case for batting up the order.

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Steve Smith excelled at first drop for Australia during the World Cup // Getty Images 

With Australian allrounder James Faulkner and New Zealand bowler Tim Southee also in the squad, the Royals could field four players from the World Cup final.

"We have several match-winners in the squad. At one time, the team was considered one of the underdogs. Now, we have the batsmen to tackle any situation we are likely to face. As captain, this is a very exciting time for me."

Australians in the 2015 IPL

• Chennai Super Kings: Mike Hussey, Andrew Tye
• Delhi Daredevils: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Gurinder Sandhu, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis
• Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh
• Kolkata Knight Riders:Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg
• Mumbai Indians: Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Aiden Blizzard
• Rajasthan Royals: Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Steve Smith, Ben Cutting
• Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mitchell Starc, Nic Maddinson, Sean Abbott
• Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Moises Henriques