Imperfect but incredibly strong: Rajasthan Royals hope to win Indian Premier League in memory of Shane Warne

Rajasthan Royals would be playing their second final in the history of their Indian Premier League, their first one since their winning campaign.

“The belief he could instil in others, I think, was the biggest thing I took away, you know. Think he made you feel 10 feet tall when you were around him,” said Jos Buttler midway through the Indian Premier League season.

Buttler, who has been at the top of his mark in the season, has time and again talked about the influence that Shane Warne has had over him and the entire Rajasthan Royals camp. And in a sense, Rajasthan are going to be playing the final of the IPL 2022 for their former captain, coach and mentor - the majestic Shane Warne.

Warne’s passing in the month of March in 2022 was not only a big dent to Rajasthan Royals but to world cricket. At 53, many believed that Warne had a lot more to give to the world, especially to the franchise that he had helped mould since the first day in the cash-rich league.

Since the winning campaign of 2008, Rajasthan had lost their way in the tournament, failing to make a major impact. The franchise was marred with a match-fixing controversy that saw them getting banned for two years.

But all that will hopefully change. Rajasthan have entered the finals of the Indian Premier League.

Only the second final in the history of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan’s current campaign has been a tale of stability. For a team that chopped and changed often despite having powerhouses like Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in their line-ups, the Royals have backed their players this season. Be it Jos Buttler or Riyan Parag, players have found support from the management, and have gotten backing whenever needed.

The latest example is that of Prasidh Krishna. The Indian fast bowler was smacked for three sixes in the final over of Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans’ David Miller, but found the backing of head coach Kumar Sangakkara.