Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne has hailed Cumbrian Ben Stokes as "probably the best all-rounder in world cricket", ahead of this year's Indian Premier League.

Former Cockermouth School student Stokes will, once again, play for Rajasthan Royals where he will play with Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and fellow Cumbrian Liam Livingstone.

The team will be coached by Paddy Upton while Warne will be acting as brand ambassador.

Warne, 49, reckons the new side is the best the Royals have ever had ahead of the start of the 2019 IPL on Saturday.

"So this year, when you think about the team that we have, everyone is available for the first 10-11 games or something around that. And the Rajasthan Royals have generally bought cheaper players, haven’t spent the money. This year, the owners have spent big money," said Warne.

"And you look at the squad, you look at the international players we have, you look at the Indian talent that we have.

"I think the team that we have this year is probably the strongest the Rajasthan Royals have ever put together."

When asked to name Royals' top five players, Warne actually named six, including Stokes and Buttler.

He told The Quint: "I think Sanju Samson, for me, will be the MVP [most valuable player]. He will be player of the IPL. I think Samson is someone that, by the end of the year, I will be very disappointed if he is not playing in all forms of the game for India. I think Samson is absolute class. He is so good.

"Samson would be one. Buttler, we saw what he is capable of, too. Ben Stokes is probably the best all-rounder in world cricket, that’s three.

"Archer, his bowling at the death is as good as anyone. Then you have Ajinkya Rahane.

"I mean KG [Krishnappa Gowtham] bowling up front and the middle, with his batting at the end, it’s very hard to limit to just five."

Both Buttler and Stokes arrived in India this morning, ahead of the Royals' first match on Monday.