Before the 2015 Indian Premier League starts on April 8, The National will preview each of the eight teams. Next up, Rajasthan Royals.
An overview
Rajasthan were the league’s first real fairytale side and they have, over the years, become its first, true “moneyball” side. That has not always equaled success, of course. Following their inaugural season title win, they finished 6th, 7th, 6th and 7th again over the next four seasons. Last year they finished 5th.
But, by investing wisely and smartly, they have built a squad that should start achieving bigger things. For starters they have four players who appeared in the World Cup final this year. One of those – Steven Smith – is, give or take an AB de Villiers, the best batsman in the world at the moment.
In James Faulkner they have the man of the World Cup final and a pivotal presence through Australia’s campaign. And their captain is Shane Watson.
During the auction this year, Rajasthan expanded their squad to 25 players, just two short of the maximum 27 permitted. Yet despite buying six players, they were left with the most unused funds of any side – approximately US$1.77 million (Dh6.5m). They did the same in 2014.
It led coach Paddy Upton to commend the preparation Rahul Dravid (team mentor), Zubin Bharucha (director of cricket) and Panish Shetty (team analyst) put in before the auction.
“[They] are possibly the smartest ‘moneyball’ operators I’ve seen in the cricket world. Not only smart, but they put in the preparation, research and planning that most are not prepared to do.”
Spin, and especially leg-spin, will be the key to their bowling fortunes though having as many as four of them in the squad could come back to haunt them as well.
Off the field, the focus could drift to their corruption taint from the 2013 IPL season. It was reported recently that Raj Kundra, a co-owner who was found guilty of betting on IPL games, may give up his stake in the franchise.
The match winner – James Faulkner
Faulkner’s role in Australia’s World Cup campaign was pivotal, but understated. And his player of the final performance was confirmation of just how valuable a player he is in the shorter formats. Can turn a game with bat or ball and in very quick time.
Up and coming star – Sanju Samson
Not so much up and coming, as the coming star. Still only 20, Samson has made impacts on two IPL seasons so far. He was particularly good last year but he could be a game-changer this season.
Five to watch
Steven Smith – Right now he would make runs on water if asked to, he is in that rich a vein of form. India was where he began to resurrect his career in 2013 and it is inconceivable he will not make an impact in this IPL.
Chris Morris – Morris missed last season with an injury but has always been an IPL target since an impressive breakthrough with Chennai in 2013. The allrounder – and his bowling is the stronger suit – was Rajasthan’s most expensive purchase this year, for around U$233,000.
Ajinkya Rahane – One of the established members of India’s new middle order, Rahane had a poor World Cup apart from one innings. He is a deceptive batsman, capable of far higher strike-rates than you might imagine.
Pravin Tambe – One of the best stories of the IPL, Tambe was an old, unknown leggie toiling away in Mumbai club cricket with a day job. Rajasthan scouts spotted him, leading to a belated career as a crafty 40-plus Twenty20 bowler.
Shane Watson – He has been around a long, long time now and this must be the autumn of Watson’s career. He was mostly quiet in the World Cup but will not mind the spotlight here, in the league which rejuvenated his flailing career back in 2008.
Coach – Paddy Upton
Previous record – 2014: Group stage; 2013: Semi-final; 2012: Group stage; 2011: Group stage; 2010: Group stage; 2009: Group stage; 2008: Champions
The National’s verdict
The influence of the three major Australian players may seep through the side this year and push them onto bigger things. Steven Smith especially looms very large as a key figure to the campaign, as does Faulkner. If Tim Southee gets going before he leaves for national duty, who knows, we could have the ultimate moneyball happy ending.
MORE IPL PREVIEWS
– Consistency key for Chennai Super Kings
– Royal Challengers Bangalore boast fearsome batting and bowling
– Mumbai Indians still in a perpetual state of flux
– Kolkata Knight Riders in position for another podium place
– Delhi Daredevils still looking to turn big names into big results
– Kings XI Punjab counting on their starpower and stability
– Sunrisers Hyderbad wondering whether big names can provide big value
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Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
The years Ramadan fell in May
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
How to watch: Live on BeIN Sports 11HD
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
