What makes Rajasthan so likeable?

The team of the IPL is Rajasthan Royals for me. Or the double Rs as Danny Morrison calls them. Very aptly, it is the double-R show – Rahul [Dravid] and [Ajinkya] Rahane, that tops the reasons that make this team so likeable. In a format where you expect only thunderous batting, these two have showed the beautiful way. There might have been a few desperate slogs in between, but it has been mostly proper cricketing shots from them. In a format where you largely expect only sixes, these two have maintained high run-rates with fours. It is staggering that these two together have hit 116 fours between them in the 13 games they’ve played so far. Very understandably, Royals are the only team that have had an unchanged opening pair in the tournament. Remember, both of them made their international Twenty20 debut in the same game [v England in 2011) and shared a 65-run partnership. Rahane couldn't have chosen a better partner, mentor and guide. It is too early and I don't want to get carried away with Rahane. But this future India No. 3 is in very safe hands.

Now, what else makes Royals a team to watch? While a lot of teams with good sprinkling of big names have underperformed, the majority of Royals’ unheralded players have put their best foot forward. No team has beaten them easily, and they have shown tremendous fight. And tactically, they have been very good. They have trusted their players, stuck with them and given them reasonable chances without any constant chopping and changing. Dravid and the management have shown tremendous faith in good Ranji performers like Ashok Menaria, Ankeet Chavan, Pankaj Singh and Stuart Binny. And it has been a joy to see a visibly-relaxed Dravid lead the team. Barring few mistakes (he made a couple of bad decisions at the toss and bowled the left-arm spinner to left-handed batsmen quite often) Dravid has led admirably, and more importantly led from the front.

Can they make the playoffs? Their hopes are hanging yes, not by a thread but by a rope. I fancy Royals to win their next two games. With no disrespect to Pune Warriors and Deccan Chargers, I expect Royals to beat them. And this would leave them with 16 points with a game against Mumbai Indians left. They would not mind playing the last league game of the season at home knowing that a win would put them in the playoffs (considering their good NRR). Mumbai Indians have been very inconsistent, and Royals have a realistic chance of beating them. I won't be surprised if they make it. Royals are very much like New Zealand are in world cricket and they can prove that by making it to the playoffs.

And what, for the next season? I hope they stick with the same set of players and I hope Dravid leads them one final time. All they need is a good local spinner and a fiery overseas pacer to plug the gaps. I am sure the likes of Kevon Cooper and Dinesh Chandimal (who was unlucky not to get a game) will step it up next year.