By Hindustan Times
Mumbai, Feb. 29 -- He coached and captained Rajasthan Royals successfully within the first edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. But last year, champion leg spinner Shane Warne announced his retirement from professional cricket. Soon after, the Royals stated that they're "looking ahead to him assuming a bigger role within the team".
But at the same time as the fifth edition of IPL gets set to kick-off in April, team co-owner Raj Kundra says Shane "has had his innings (with Rajasthan Royals)". "HE'S doing his own thing and is busy together with his girlfriend (Liz Hurley)," says Kundra, adding, "Shane was with us for four years, and he have been great. But we have to move on and provides Rahul Dravid (new captain) an opportunity. He's a perfect idol, and that's the reason why all of the kids lookup to him." But isn't Rahul seen as a player who doesn't fit the IPL mould?
"Hence we kept him for a year with Shane. We believe he has the prospective to captain the team," says Kundra, adding, "Still we needed to persuade Rahul to become the captain. but we feel he's going to deliver. The primary reason being he got an opportunity to experience how Shane worked in an out-of-the-box manner. Plus, he comes together with his own mindset. He's a focused cricketer, very disciplined and his training is best than anyone I DO KNOW within the cricketing world."
At the similar time, Kundra accepts that the absence of Pakistani players has hit his team. "It definitely hit us but it's 20-20 cricket and that's the reason entertainment and never pure cricket. So, the team that comes first twelve months can finally end up on the last position within the next and vice versa. This year, now we have picked up a few good Sri Lankan players, and Brad Hodge and S Sreesanth. So, we have now a pleasing mix," he says.
