IPL 2018 : Shane Warne expresses his full trust on new Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane

Rajasthan Royals (RR) are one of the two teams that is making a comeback in this year’s IPL. Though their comeback trail hasn’t been as hyped and celebrated as that of their fellow returning franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RR have always managed to stay under the radar and go about their work quietly. 

The team managed to rope in former captain Shane Warne as the mentor and his experience will no doubt be vital for all the members of the RR squad. After Steve Smith was banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months, he was also barred from participating in the IPL, hence, India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was made the captain. 

“I am happy to be back with the Rajasthan Royals and I am grateful for the great opportunity given to me. It's like coming back to home. The best squad is put together and we have the best captain in Ajinkya Rahane whom I fully trust,” Shane Warne was quoted saying by CricketNext.

Rajasthan Royals, who were known as the ‘money ball team’ in the past, have gone out and broken the bank for a few players this season. They brought the two most expensive players from the auction - Ben Stokes (12.5 crores) and Jaydev Unadkat (11.5 crores). They also have a few match-winners like Jos Butler, Jofra Archer and D’Arcy Short. 

“We have few match winners with bat and the ball as well. We have great talent at our disposal and it was wonderful job done at the auction,” Warne added. 

The Australian cricket team has received a lot of criticism over the past few weeks due to the ball-tampering saga that broke out in the third Test in Cape Town. So, Warne also lashed out at people who thought that it was a good time to ‘slam boot’ into Australians by using the ball-tampering controversy. 

“It is very disappointing but I feel that this given an opportunity to others to slam boot into Australians without any reason. I am not defending what Smith has done and I am also embarrassed as any other Australians with the happenings. I think it is great opportunity for every single country look into its own backyards and think the way they want to play cricket and for what we stand for including the Australians. Otherwise, this opportunity would go,” the second-highest wicket-taker in Test matches revealed.