About Rajasthan Royals

Last year even before a ball was bowled this side was printed off as a team of no-hopers. But how the tables were twisted was seen by the entire world. This time key all-rounder Shane Watson is doubtful with an injury and some of the other performers like Sohail Tanveer are out of the team. But look forward to Shane Warne to come up with a new plan to shock his rivals.

Latest acquisition: One of the prestigious buys for Rajasthan Royals is the thunderbolt paceman Shaun Tait. The juvenile state bowler is combating self-doubts and banish to come back on the big stage. Warne’s support could well prove to be crucial X factor this time.

Captain-coach combination: Well the boss of this team is one and only Shane Warne. The spin magician casts a spell around his team and manages to eke out the best out of everyone. Last year he single-handedly motivated his side to the title. His little-known players managed to lift their performance level and take it to a new high. In the background his old friend, Darren Berry does all the research on the rivals, while Warne plots the moves.

Last year’s results: Played: 14, Won: 11, Lost: 3. Champions

Fitness barometer: The attendance of a excess of young Indian cricketers presents a whole new version of the country. These bunch of youngsters are talented, athletic and above all keen to follow their captain.

STRENGTHS: The leadership and genius of Shane Warne. The batting looks great with Graeme Smith, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja and Tyron Henderson. The bowling is well-balanced too with Munaf Patel, Siddharth Trivedi, Morne Morkel and Warne himself.

WEAKNESSES: Without Pakistani left-arm-seamer Sohail Tanvir’s talents, the bowling looks depleted. Shane Watson too will be available only as a batsman thereby diminishing his role as an all-rounder.

OPPORTUNITIES: For players like fast bowler Shaun Tait to prove that he is up for the challenge. Kamran Khan, who is already becoming a rage, could be fasttracked to superstardom.

THREATS: The curse of expectations from the franchisee. They will demand magic from Warney again. And the rather ‘removal’ of players like Kaif. It could make the rest of the team insecure and curb their freeflowing style.

Owners:
Emerging Media group (Lachlan Murdoch, A.R Jha and Suresh Chellaram), Shilpa Shetty (Bollywood star), Raj Kundra (Businessman)

Coach/captain:
Shane Warne (AUS)
Players:
S Warne (AUS), D Mascarenhas (ENG), G Smith (RSA), L Carseldine (AUS), M Morkel (RSA), R Quiney (AUS), S Harwood (AUS), S Watson (AUS), T Henderson (RSA), R Jadeja, Y Pathan.