IPL 3.0 Royal Spirit

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

Introducing this team is like showing light to the sun(LOL), from being the under-dog champions to now being over-rated chimps they have done it all in just 2 seasons of IPL. The big news last year was Shilpa Shetty and her beau who had bought stakes in the champion side. From there on everything seemed to go down-hill literally! Warne the chief-in-charge could not re-create the magic the Royals put up in the debut season. Partly due to missing key players like Watson and Tanvir who were very effective in the inaugural season. Even Graeme Smith dint look in touch even at home conditions. So, they ended up missing the cut to the semis but, entertained us with a few fiercely fought games. Thus, keeping us interested in the Royals.

This year they have done Warne some favour and made him feel at home by bringing in some of his mates from down under and his county side Hampshire. Michael Lumb currently making news is also one to look out for. Damien Martyn was probably the steal for them in the auctions it has to be seen whether he stands to that. Otherwise losing Kaif and Jadeja has made their domestic rooster even more brittle. Apart from that Royals planning to expand their franchise even outside India is a bold and great move.

SQUAD: Shane Warne, Johan Botha, Damien Martyn, Michael Lumb,Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Shrikant Wagh, Abhishek Raut, Sumit Narwal, Faiz Fazal, Syed Ahmed Quadri, Amit Paunikar, Kamran Khan, Amit Singh, Graeme Smith, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Morne Morkel, Shaun Tait, Munaf Patel, Yusuf Pathan, Sidharth Trivedi, Swapnil Asnodkar, Mahesh Rawat, Naman Ojha, Amit Paunikar.

STRENGTHS: Warne's captaincy, his ability to make heroes out of unknowns.

WEAKNESS: Domestic players aren't top-class or even half of that. Sticking to just 4 foreign players will be tough.

WATCH OUT FOR: Michael Lumb as said earlier, Shaun SLOON Tait who's been in impressive form for Australia in T20s.

WAH's xi:

• Smith
• Naman Ojha
• Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
• Damien Martyn/Michael Lumb
• Dimitri Mascarenhas/Shane Watson
• Yusuf Pathan
• Shane Warne©
• Abhishek Raut
• Kamran Khan
• Sidharth Trivedi
• Munaf Patel

WAH Say: The team looks mighty weak, if they need Tait/Morkel they would have to either drop a foreign player who can bat. The pinch of losing Jadeja, Kaif is gonna feel like a sledge hammer slammed on to your face! Sure to end at the bottom of the league table. Expect very few wins this time. Ex-champions will have to remain "ex".

Yours Royally

Rajasthan Royals once again became the first IPL franchise to embark upon new territories with their business plans. The Royals are set to unveil a groundbreaking global alliance with Hampshire and other Twenty20 teams from around the world. Together forming a global franchise entitled Royals 2020. Seems, just the right way forward as per the financial aspects are concerned. Apart from Hampshire, Cape Cobras from South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago from the West Indies have been in talks for the same. Victoria Bushrangers are yet to give their nod after being approached by the Royals. All teams that come under the “Royals” umbrella will have to incorporate ‘Royals’ into the name of their T20 sides. So, Hampshire Hawks become Hampshire Royals or any other with Royals being a part of their side’s name. The Royals have also proposed a “Royals Festival” a T20 cricket festival featuring all the royals’ teams in England later this year.

Surprisingly, B.C.C.I. have not erupted into the scene and done the usual hara-kiri. But, all’s not well with the ECB objecting to the Royals Festival as it will collide in dates with their T20 domestic competition and divert attention (really?).

Other English county teams are in pursuit of possible mergers with IPL franchises. Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders are thought to be keen on partnerships in England. This only takes the sport to interestingly new highs.