Despite its obvious English elements - player Dmitri Mascarenhas, and chairman Manoj Badale's bona fide British accent - few people know that the sucess story of the Rajasthan Royals was scripted in the pristine Queen's tongue, with strategies chalked out in idyllic County grounds where T20 has been a rage for the last five years.
The world is gushing over the Rajasthan Royals now, but its owners Emerging Media say they always knew their league-leading team would emerge as the IPL's finest. "It was a sound strategy from the beginning - right from the choice of captain to the selection of the squad. We knew we understood the T20 format since we were being based out of England where it is quite popular," says the team's CEO Fraser Castellino. "The biggest high-point has been how our strategy has yielded exact results," adds Ravi Krishnan, vice-chairman of the team.
The Leicester connection
Since 2005, Emerging Media holds the managing rights of Leicestershire Cricket Club - semifinalists in the 2003 T20 Cup in England, and winners in 2004. They brought with them key members from Leicester who now form the support squad - such as psychologist Jeremy Snape, who as a player had hit the winning boundary for the Leicestershire Foxes in the 2004 final against Surrey.
Rajasthan's choice of players at the auctions also had its roots in what they beleived would be a successful formula in the IPL. "We knew from the outset that we needed all-rounders. It was never about gathering superstars, only picking the right man for the right job," Castellino says.
Jaipur was sniggered at, but as the lowliest of all the franchises, they managed to not draw too much attention to their assembling squad, staying mum over the rumoured penalty they would invite for not spending enough. "What can I say, let others splurge as much as they want and get the same result," Castellino shrugs. The Royals made investments of $ 3.5 million, as against the nearly $ 5m bingeing by other francises.
Getting Warne on board
Shane Warne was brought on board as captain-coach - for both his international standing and for the rejuvenation he had brought about at Hampshire, which was earlier a losing unit. "Leadership was going to be a defining factor in the IPL. We needed a true leader who was acknowledged and respected by both the youngsters and our seniors," Castellino adds. "Warne was excited about coming to Jaipur. It's not always about money for retired internationals - sometimes the joy of raising a squad is more than satisfying."
With Warne, came other handy recommendations - notably Darren Berry from Victoria, who as director of coaching complemented the leggie's style of functioning.
Then, Rajasthan got their domestic drafts spot-on. "It was about carefully filling each slot," Castellino says. Fully aware that seven domestic players were too large a number to be dismissed to a fill-in-the-blanks game, the Royals backed up their international recruits with equally spunky home choices.
Research on players
"We did a lot of research on players from our 'catchment area'. Statistics and records were carefully assessed, we spoke to several state-level coaches before picking them. So, Swapnil (Asnodkar) was specifically picked as back-up opener. Yusuf Pathan fitted the all-rounder tag perfectly," he says, adding that under Warne's personalised leadership, even Munaf Patel, who had initially been written off, came on to deliver.
Gujarat Ranji coach Vijay Patel talks about how medium pacer Siddharth Trivedi, who missed the India bus when he was on the top of his game in 2005 before drifting for two years, found firm footing in the IPL. "Sometimes you know you are a good bowler, but need a boost. Warne has ensured that Trivedi gives it more than his best," Patel says.
While nerves reduced the best of mighty Mumbai to shreds on Monday night, Niraj Patel and Ravindra Jadeja coolly took Rajasthan home. They even sent back the drinksmen who came scurrying with messages at the beginning of that nerve-wracking final over, while Mumbai had half a dozen towels and bottles spread across the field.
"Niraj doesn't hit long, he just plans innings very well," Vijay Patel says. Under-19 World Cupper Jadeja, meanwhile, has reveled in all situations he has been thrown in, and grinned punch-pleased every time Warne has anointed him 'Superstar'.
Graeme Smith has merged happily in the jigsaw - using his heavy blade on the field, and his humour and banter off it - while Sohail Tanvir has turned into an unplayable proposition with his quirky action doing most of the damage.
Off the field too, Emerging Media benefited from their Leicester connection. "We brought experience of everything, from holding matches at stadiums, building on fan base to how to best treat players since they are our main assets," Castellino says.
As an extension, the Royals support-community has spread to not just the UK and Australia, but Rajasthan is eyeing the huge expat Marwari community. "Why limit it to Jaipur, don't forget that some big Marwari names like Laxmi Mittal and the Birla family to name a few have roots in Rajasthan," he adds, informing also of their partnership with premier institution BITS Pilani, to further broaden the base.
"Every team is as good as their next game," Warne has declared. Far from being a ragtag bunch, the Rjasthan Royals know precisely what they want next.
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