IPL 6: Five reasons why Rajasthan Royals can win this year

Ever since winning the inaugural edition of IPL, Rajasthan Royals has not replicated the success. Back then, when they were crowned champions, the Shane Warne led team was made up of a perfect combination of players who were excelling thoroughly in their respective areas. Apart from the leg spinner, who was advertised as the best captain Australia has never had, they had the services of South Africa’s national captain, Greame Smith, who was almost equally rich in experience and cricketing expertise.

The Indians who were regulars in the playing XI of that year were prolific run getters too. There was a pocket sized dynamo called Asnodkar who used to open with Greame Smith, resembling the yesteryear player of Sri Lanka, Romesh Kaluwitharana – in every aspect of aggressive stroke making. Then there was a left arm quickie called Sohail Tanvir of Pakistan who was more than a useful bowling all rounder. Unfortunately, Pakistan cricketers have been banned to play in the IPL ever since. And above all, they had the intimidating presence of “red hot” Yousuf Pathan in their ranks, who used to whack any bowling attack at will. The list did not end with it though. A young and reliable Ravindra Jadeja also played his part in the first edition of IPL for Rajasthan Royals.

With all these big names under one roof, Rajasthan was easily the sturdiest of all teams which had competed in IPL’s first edition. From thereon, the team was deprived of the services of most of their IPL winning heroes in the following seasons, which led to the team’s overall debacle. Starting as an underdog in the ongoing Pepsi IPL, Rahul Dravid’s team has been placed currently in the third position in the overall standings, with a very good chance of making it to the play-off stages. In fact, they are tied with Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are placed second, in terms of number of points – although the latter have played one match extra till now. Just two or three wins from here on would ensure them a place in the play-offs and I must be supremely pessimistic to doubt their qualification in the last four, given the way they are playing now.

Here are the top five reasons why I feel Rajasthan Royals can become the champions for the second time in IPL.

1. James Faulkner

Ever since Warne’s wizardry as a leg spinner receded, Royals were found wanting in the bowling department. And since his exit, the team has become a very weak bowling side. They wanted someone in their ranks who could be a strike bowler for them. For the last four seasons, this has been the case. They tried Shaun Tait, who they thought would make the batsmen dance to his tunes but, quite often, he ended up gifting away runs for free by being very wayward. So, after careful introspection, they have brought in James Faulkner by buying him in the auction this year. The man from Down Under is proving to be a perfect replacement for Sohail Tanvir, who was representing the Royals as an all rounder in the first ever IPL. Tanvir was a pretty economical bowler and was also a very useful lower order batsman. Now, with the Tasmanian joining them in this season of the IPL, Dravid’s men seem to have found a match winner who is already holding a purple cup as on today. He would be a big contributor this year for the 2008 IPL champions during their remaining seven matches and play-offs.

2. Ajinkya Rahane is yet to fire

The role Swapnil Asnodkar was doing for Rajasthan in the first IPL has been taken over by Ajinkya Rahane since last year. He has been one of the great finds of last IPL 5 and was knocking on the doors of Indian team for quite some time now. As an aggressive opener, also possessing good technique, he was firing on all cylinders last year, leading his team all the way. But, somehow or the other, he is yet to find his touch as the tournament is in the halfway stage now. This, in fact, should prove beneficial for the Royals since they have been tasting success so far this season despite the fact that their prolific run getter is yet to fire. If Rahane also starts finding his form and succeeds in building strong opening partnerships, then Rajasthan can make a mockery of the other teams – both in setting and chasing targets.

3. The power house called Stuart Binny

Stuart Binny is no doubt a perfectly suited cricketer for the T20 format. He is an attacking batsman and has the ability to punish the bad balls by making them clear the boundary ropes. All said and done, he looked so rusty and circumspect last year that he, quite often, ended up being a victim by playing loose shots. This year, though, with enough experience under his belt, he seems to have gained a lot of confidence. He has not been playing false shots and just like Yosuf Pathan of 2008, the long handle is being used effectively by him. When the ball finds the middle of his bat, there are no boundaries in the world which can be considered as longer. If he continues the same way for the remainder of the tournament, he will provide a perfect platform for Hodge and co in the middle order to enhance the scoring rate.

4. Purple patch of Shane Watson

Last year, when Shane Watson joined the team in the middle of the tournament, it took quite a while for him to discover his touch and by the time he did, he found his side knocked out even before the play-offs. This year, though, the Australian all rounder has been here right from the start of the IPL. After a couple of matches, where he was a bit rusty initially, he has found his touch. He already has scored a hundred and remained not out in the very next match, with a score of 98. This only means he can become even more dangerous. A good start is always important in a T20 match and with this Australian at the top of the order, the scorers will be kept busy all the time.

5. Rahul Dravid’s presence as mentor and captain

This former Indian batting legend seems to have learnt a lot about captaining a T20 side, thanks to his predecessor Shane Warne. Being one of the most respected athletes on and off the field, he seems to have donned the role of the father figure for his team – to which he is also acting as a mentor. His captaincy has been pretty decent till now and with every victory he gets for his side from here on, his leadership qualities will only improve. As a batsman too, he has been excelling well, scoring not less than thirty most of the time. Plus, he has the services of some T20 specialists like Owais Shah and Brad Hodge, with the help of whom he can take the right decisions at the right time.

Rajasthan is gelling well as a team and is acting as a cohesive unit. They have found suitable replacements for all those players who they have lost subsequent to the 2008 triumph. Like I said before, just three more victories will assure them a place in the play-offs, and if they managed entering the last stage, they can surprise any team. Just like the first DLF IPL which was won by the Shane Warne led Royals, this first ever Pepsi IPL can go to the Rahul Dravid led Royals.