The Rajasthan Royals are making their first Champions League T20 appearance. After their impressive showing in IPL 6, they would like to continue their good form into the CLT20. This will also be the last time that the fans will see Rahul Dravid playing for the Royals and the team from Jaipur would be looking to give him a fitting farewell. They are drawn in Group A along with Mumbai Indians (winners of Pepsi IPL 2013), Highveld Lions (winners of South Africa’s domestic T20), Perth Scorchers (KFC T20 Big Bash League runners-up), and a team from the qualifiers.
Positives:
With all their league matches to be played at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium, the Royal have a great chance to go all the way. The stadium has been a fortress for them since 2008. The Royals have in their ranks players like Shane Watson and Brad Hodge, who can single-handedly win games. There is a right blend of youth and experience in the side. In the fast bowling department they have James Faulkner who has the variations in his bowling to trick the modern-day batsmen, picks wickets at regular intervals and bowl economical spells. His experience will come in handy during the slog overs.
Negatives:
The Spin bowling department is one of the weakest in the tournament and it will be tough to bowl with medium pacers. Also some of the Indian players are inexperienced and might choke at the big stage. Rahul Dravid is back to the field after a long time, he might be short of match practice.
Squad:
Captain: Rahul Dravid
Coach: Paddy Upton
Batsmen: Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Menaria, Brad Hodge
All Rounders: Stuart Binny, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper
Bowlers: Siddharth Trivedi, Shaun Tait, Vikramjeet Malik, Rahul Shukla, Pravin Tambe
Wicket Keeper: Sanju Samson, Dishant Yagnik
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