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We want to build a team without egos: Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals is a team that likes to keep itself low key. They tend to pick players who aren't quite the superstars of world cricket. Yet, when it comes to their performance on the field, they always seem to punch above their weight.

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(L-R) Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer, mentor Rahul Dravid and coach Paddy Upton in Ahmedabad on Saturday
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Rajasthan Royals is a team that likes to keep itself low key. They tend to pick players who aren't quite the superstars of world cricket. Yet, when it comes to their performance on the field, they always seem to punch above their weight.

It started in the first season itself, when Shane Warne led a bunch of highly motivated men to a historic triumph, much against people's expectations. Rahul Dravid marshalled the team to a runners-up position in 2013.

But things are a bit different for them in 2015. For the first time, Rajasthan Royals will commence their campaign with a team comprising three World Cup-winning superstars -- Steve Smith, James Faulkner and Shane Watson, who will captain the side. Smith finished as the sixth highest-scorer at the World Cup with 402 runs, while Faulkner was the man of the match in the final against New Zealand. If that isn't enough, Tim Southee's arrival will be the icing on the cake. Mind you, Southee picked up 15 wickets for New Zealand at the World Cup.

In short, the Royals have a variety of match-winners this time, and are expected to do well. But mentor Dravid insisted it's all about the team, not individuals.

"Why talk only about World Cup winners? Why forget Southee, who starred for New Zealand and was part of a World Cup final? From our point of view, four of our players featured in the final. They are in good form and that's great news," Dravid said.

"It's not only these four, but even Ajinkya Rahane was part of a World Cup team. When they come together as a unit, it is not the individual but the team that comes first. We want to build a team without egos," he added.

Dravid also spoke highly of Karun Nair. The Karnataka batsman scored a magnificent 328 in the final to help the defending champions lift the Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu. The Royals are known for grooming rookie players like Nair and turning them into superstars. Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan and Sanju Samson are a few examples.

Coach Paddy Upton said their dressing room has never encouraged special treatment for anyone.

"We have set up an environment which keeps all players at par. We pick players who can fit in our family. A player like Rahul Dewetia will have the same say as Steve Smith. Just because Smith is a World Cup winner and emerged as a star, it doesn't mean he will have a superstar status in the dressing room. This issue is more often a problem. Form is something that comes and goes, so there is no place for ego," Upton said.

Talking of team effort, Dravid said blaming a single player for the team's failure is not justified. Asked about his take on Virat Kohli's personal life being dragged into India's World Cup semifinal exit, he said, "Results do not depend on one player. It is wrong to point a finger at an individual."

Dravid was also unequivocal when asked about the match-fixing saga that has affected the Royals.

"You learn from experience. The rules of IPL have been followed. There is a system in place and we also go out of our way to address the players. But ultimately, it is the individual's responsibility," he said.

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