Rajasthan Royals

Will the champions have their day again, despite injuries and suffering the loss of Pakistani players?

The "Underdogs" certainly had its day in the first edition of the IPL. Led by one of the most charismatic men ever to have graced the cricket field, and having in its line up some of the best exponents of the T-20 game, Rajasthan Royals were certainly the surprise package of the IPL in its inaugural year.

While they have added much by way of star value to their line up this year, Shilpa Shetty as co-owner was indeed a pleasant surprise, and has already done her part in the much talked about music video she has shot for the Royals, on the field they have lost a bit of zip with key players suffering from injury. Pakistani players' not being permitted to play in the IPL has affected the Royals more than any other team. Sohail Tanvir, best bowler in IPL one, isn't available and his replacement, Shaun Tait, is also out injured. Shane Watson, one of the key players for the Royals in season one, is undergoing rehab and it is a million dollar guess if he will be fit to bowl at the start of the season. Greame Smith though, is back from injury and in home conditions will surely give the Royals the start they need. But as in season one, at the start of season two the Royals look heavily reliant on the brilliance of Yousuf Pathan and skipper Shane Warne.

What they will take heart from, however, is the manner in which they recovered from a poor start in Season one to ultimately end up champions of the tournament. When they were skittled out for a paltry 126 against the Delhi Daredevils at the Kotla in their inaugural match of the competition in 2008, almost every one present had suggested that the Royals were only there to make up the numbers. But with Shane Warne around nothing can be taken for granted. Inspired leadership transformed an ordinary team into a hungry-for-success bunch and the Smith/Warne combination worked amazingly for the youngsters in the side. In Swapnil Asnodkar they found an able partner for Smith and Yousuf Pathan who has now made the Indian side based on his IPL heroics showed the world why he is one of the most feared players around in the games shortest format. Unperturbed and fearless, Yousuf will once again have to stand out if the Royals are to do an encore of the first season. What might work for the Royals is that they once again have in their ranks some T-20 specialists. Tyron Henderson may not be a star in the conventional sense but his T-20 record made him a prized recruit in the auction at Goa. If Henderson gets his act right, it will go a long way into making the Royals competitive. In fact, it is the all round abilities of Yousuf, Shane Watson, Shane Warne and Henderson that will largely determine the Royals progress in year two.

Finally, a comment on skipper Shane Warne is very much in order here. In retiring too, Warne stood out. Giving it up at his peak when the Australians did not have anyone half as good, he retired despite knowing full well that he could have continued for two more years given his form. Warne has been one who has always exceeded expectations and one who has fought his way out of trouble. In fact, it is this ability of his that inspired the Royals to winning the IPL last year and once again it will be Warne and his amazing leadership abilities both on and off the field that they will be banking upon in South Africa.