Founded: 2008

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Profile:

Of all the franchisees, Emerging Media probably held their cards closest to their chest.

Undoubtedly the dark horses for the tournament, Rajasthan went on to lift the trophy, despite many pundits initially declaring that they had no chance.

However, spin legend, captain and coach of the team, Shane Warne had other plans.

Warnie chalked out his strategies very shrewdly and showed the world why he was the best captain never to lead Australia.

The team did not boast of too many starts with South African skipper Graeme Smith joining the team late but when he finally did, he did so with a bang.

The entire team was a story of underdogs. Ravinder Jadeja played beautifully in the middle order, Yusuf Pathan blasted the balls to all corners of the park and was an asset with the ball while Pakistani wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Aklam was brilliant behind the stumps.

Pakistan swing bowler Sohail Tanveer was exceptional, claiming 21 wickets in the tournament and wrecking havoc with the new ball. He was well assisted by Munaf Patel, whose aggression with the ball surprised many.

Shane Watson, who has had a chequered career for Australia as an all-rounder, thanks to injuries shone the brightest.

Watson was outstanding with the ball and played some match winning knocks, going on to become the Player of the Tournament.

Warne himself was brilliant with the ball, getting wickets, restricting the run flow and breaking partnerships regularly.

The former Aussie leg spinner nurtured the young Indian players at his disposal and was able to bring out the best in them, paving the way for a great upset when the Royals finally met Chennai Super Kings in the finals.

No one had expected Rajasthan Royals to achieve what they did. After all, they had no stars but Warne and his boys showed that cricket is a team game, where every player has a role to play and each of the Royals played their role to perfection.

Shaun Tait and Tyron Henderson are the latest additions in the Royals enclosure and though Tanveer's loss would hurt the Rajasthanis this year, Tait can rattle some nerves with his sheer pace.

Henderson has had a good outing for Middlesex and Warne would want him to replicate his success in the IPL this year.

The Royals delivered a shock when they sent back Mohammad Kaif after the squad was pruned before the second edition finally got off.

Coach: Shane Warne

Captain: Shane Warne

Colours: Blue & Gold

Home Ground: Sawai Mansingh Stadium

Capacity: 50,000

Owner: Emerging Media, Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra

Official Website: http://www.rajasthanroyals.com/

Pankaj Aaditya