New Delhi: The surprise winners of the first edition of the Indian Premier League were hailed as the 'wonder team' but they failed to continue their dream run in the succeeding seasons. This season they evoked hopes of a reprise with two back-to-back victories but then three losses spoilt their treat.
In their seven matches so far, they have won three and lost three with one of them being washed away. Their topsy-turvy life, however, promises to get back on track after their last match, in which they defeated the high-flying Kochi Tuskers Kerala comprehensively by eight wickets. Continue reading below
Here's a quick look at the team's strengths and weaknesses at the halfway stage.
Strengths
Wizard Warne: The mercurial captain Shane Warne has never looked fitter. At his present age of 42, by his own admission, he is fitter than what he was at the age of 24. His nine wickets from the six games at an average of 16.55 speak highly but shows not even half of the impact he has on his team. Warne's mentorship will be of foremost importance if the Royals are to be crowned again.
Botha's brilliance: Johan Botha has been appointed the new captain of the South African ODI team and that seems to have handed the man a fresh lease of life. He has never looked more confident and his performance in the IPL, this year, reflects exactly that. Botha has scored 132 runs at a strike rate of 134.69 in four innings and remains yet to be dismissed. His contributions have been crucial in every match his team has won and he will be expected get better as the battle gets tough.
The Wall: Throughout Rahul Dravid's international career, he was considered a doubtful performer in the shorter versions of the game. But Dravid has always been able to prove his critics wrong. Though, nowhere in the run for an ODI recall, he continues to show his colours in the Indian Premier league. The Bangalorean, now in Rajasthan's royal attire still piles up runs at ease. He has 153 runs from his five innings at a commendable strike rate of over run-a-ball. His experience will come handy for the Royals as they push for higher laurels.
Weaknesses
Watson factor: Returning after an eventful tour of Bangladesh with the national team, Shane Watson was expected to take IPL by storm. But in his four matches so far, he hasn't been able to do justice to his fame. The leading all-rounder, who was one of the catalysts behind Royals' success story of 2008, has been steady but not the player his team would want him to be. With 104 runs in four innings and just two wickets, Watson has been a pale shadow of himself.
Domestic players: Barring a few performances here and there from Amit Singh and Siddharth Trivedi, the fringe players from India have not been able to put up anything worthy of mention. Rajasthan Royals, who have always depended on their bits-and-pieces players from the Indian contingent, have failed to churn out any new star this season. The likes of Ashok Menarias and Stuart Binnys have not been able to do a Paul Valthaty. This team sorely misses the finisher Ravindra Jadeja and the dominating force Yusuf Pathan, who have parted with the Royals' franchise this year.
