Coach Paddy Upton
Last season Play-offs
Best Winners, 2008
Secret weapon Ankush Bains Not quite as gilded as his India U19 contemporary Sanju Samson – yet. He took the gloves ahead of Samson in the age-group side and could do the same for the Royals. He has already wowed UAE audiences this year with his clean striking at the top of the order in the U19 Asia Cup and World Cup, and he could star here again.
Best Indian players
Ajinkya Rahane Top-order batsman, below, with five Tests for India to his name so far.
Stuart Binny Enjoying a relatively late bloom as part of India's squad age 29.
Sanju Samson Young firestarter will hope to avoid second-season syndrome.
Overseas stars
Brad Hodge (Australia) If Mike Hussey was "Mr Cricket", Hodge is "Mr Twenty20".
Steve Smith (Australia) The Ashes star was the Royals' most expensive auction purchase.
Kevon Cooper (West Indies) Trinidadian seamer overcoming doubts about his bowling action.
Tim Southee (New Zealand) Leader of the New Zealand pace attack can be costly in T20.
James Faulkner (Australia) An Australian all-rounder with a lot to say for himself.
Shane Watson (Australia) Long-serving Royals success story and 20-over star.
Ben Cutting (Australia) Australian all-rounder who played a T20 against England this year.
Kane Richardson (Australia) The sixth, and least heralded, Aussie in the Royals squad.
One thing you probably did not know about Rajasthan Royals
The franchise from Jaipur were the first winners of the Indian Premier League in 2008, despite being the least expensively assembled. Shane Warne, the multiple Ashes and World Cup winner, said it the best thing he had done in cricket, at the time.
One thing you probably did not know about Rajasthan Royals
The franchise from Jaipur were the first winners of the Indian Premier League in 2008, despite being the least expensively assembled. Shane Warne, the multiple Ashes and World Cup winner, said it the best thing he had done in cricket, at the time.
Paul Radley’s chocolate comparison
If they were chocolate they would be ... Violet Crumble. Almost all the ingredients are Australian, but when they do venture abroad they travel well.
pradley@thenational.ae
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