Spin wizard trashes security issues for Australian players; says playing at home suits Royals’ style.
Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne is banking on Yusuf Pathan’s exuberance and Damien Martyn’s experience for his side’s success in the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts on March 13 in Mumbai. He also trashed security concerns for Australian players in India.
Warne heaped plenty of praise on Pathan, who played a massive role in West Zone’s historic run chase on Saturday against South Zone, terming him as a ‘huge match-winner.’
“Yusuf can change the course of a match at any given time. I think
we are lucky to have him,” said Warne. “We have to make sure that we use him properly to get the best out of him. We have secret tactics on how to use Yusuf, depending on opponents this season and I am really excited about that...” added Warne via teleconference from London.
Despite the unavailability of all-rounder Shane Watson in a few initial matches owing to international commitments, Warne is confident.
“That’s why I feel Damien Martyn has been a smart buy for us. He is a calmly serious sort of batsman who knows how to play in key moments... And the experience he will bring in is tremendous,” said the 40-year-old. Royals will also miss the services of paceman Sohail Tanvir, who Warne said is ‘irreplaceable’ but is hoping that Munaf Patel will rise to the occasion.
Excited to be back in India, Warne believes it will be a huge advantage for his side and hopes the crowd will turn up in big numbers. “Coming back to India...it suits our players. India suits our style of play we saw in IPL I. The way we played is why we captured public imagination in India and abroad. “We weren’t as consistent as we should have been last year. Still we were only two balls away from making a place in the finals. Different tactics and strategies are required in India as compared to South Africa,” explained Warne.
So what will be the key to success this season?
“There is not one key aspect but a number of factors,” he said. “The first 3-4 games will be crucial. If you look at some of the sides that have done well, they began pretty well. The other thing is how quickly the sides can gel. That’s why the build up before the first match is important,” he said.
He also rubbished any security threats from Shiv Sena. “Any place you go to, you want to make sure you are ok. I always love going to India and I am confident that everything will be fine.”
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