Jaipur, Dec 3 (IANS) Indian batting great Rahul Dravid was Saturday named the captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals. He replaces Australia’s Shane Warne, who led the team for four seasons before announcing his retirement from the cash-rich event earlier this year.
The 38-year-old former India captain has had a great 2011. He has piled on 1067 runs in 11 Tests that includes five centuries. ‘The Wall’ was bought by the Rajasthan franchise for $500,000 in the IPL auctions held in Bangalore in January. Dravid was with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the first three editions.
‘I am honoured to lead the Rajasthan Royals. I hope to live up to the confidence shown in me by the franchise and give our fans an exciting season of cricket,’ said Dravid in a statement released by Rajasthan Royals.
‘I look forward to the valuable inputs from my teammates who are already leading their national sides and clubs. My aim will be to get the best out of a very talented squad and invoke the same team spirit that won the franchise the first IPL and has been a hallmark of the Rajasthan Royals ever since.’
Warne had no hesitation in saying that his successor will take the team to more success.
‘He is not only one of the world’s best batsmen, but a leader par excellence. The Royals squad is a bunch of extremely energetic and talented players who know their roles perfectly well and I am sure they will thrive under Dravid’s inspiring leadership. I will be keenly following the Royals and Dravid and would like to wish them the best,’ said Warne, who led the team to victory in the inaugural season.
