Rahul Dravid is probably one of most respected cricketers in the world and he has earned that respect over the years. His captaincy stint with the Royals has been nothing less than a roller-coaster r
Rahul Dravid is probably one of most respected cricketers in the world and he has earned that respect over the years. His captaincy stint with the Royals has been nothing less than a roller-coaster ride and Dravid has passed the test with flying colours both on and off the field after the team was badly hit by the spot-fixing controversy during IPL 6.Royals brilliant show in the IPL earned them a place in the Champions League and right from the onset they looked like a side determined to make a difference by putting everything behind them.Royals are on an unbeaten streak of 12 matches in Jaipur before they take on the mighty Super Kings and the match will decide who goes through to the final of the Champions League.Let’s have a look at what the Royals have been doing right in the tournament:Top-order batting: While the openers have not always given the Royals the ideal start but the great thing about the side is that they have always found somebody who can go on to stay till the end and make the rest of the guys play around him, a role in which Rahane fits in perfectly. The top-order has always set up the match for the Royals and their middle-order has capilatlised on the good starts by taking them to a formidable total or by keeping them in the chase.Wickets at regular intervals: While there has not been an outstanding performer for the Royals with the ball, but that has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the bowlers have shared the wickets among themselves and have given the team the all important breakthrough every time they needed it.Hodge factor: With loads of T20 experience, Brad Hodge seems to have become an asset for the Royals as he can take up both the roles. When the team has lost has a couple of wickets, he can play it around in order to build a partnership and also can hit the ball a long way if the Royals needs quick runs on the board.Captain cool: There is nobody in a cricket field who is as calm and cool as Rahul Dravid and that seems to have spread like flu into the team as they look to be a lot more relaxed in the field. It has transpired into the side in such a way that the team is less likely to make a mistake in crunch situations.
