IPL 2018: ‘Mentor’ Shane Warner Joins Rajasthan Royals’ Pre-Season Camp

Shane Warne, the mentor of Rajasthan Royals, has joined the team’s pre-season camp just a few days before the start of the league. The franchise confirmed the news –

The #RoyalMentor @ShaneWarne sporting the #Royal jersey!! ?#HallaBol #IPL2018 #RoyalCamp pic.twitter.com/VSICu3xWPN

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 5, 2018

Warne was roped in as the Mentor of the side in February. However, there is still no clarity on his role.

As per the reports, it is still unknown whether he will stay with the team for full IPL or not?

He had a late arrival in team’s camp, as he was in South Africa commentating during South Africa and Australia Test series.

Warne played for just one franchise in IPL, i.e. Rajasthan Royals. He was the captain of the side that won the first season of IPL. He continued to play for the team as player cum mentor till 2011.

He played a total of 55 games for Rajasthan Royals in which he scalped 57 wickets.

Warne will join likes of Zubin Bharucha, Amol Muzumdar, Sairaj Bahutule and Dishant Yagnik in Rajasthan Royals’ camp.

Apart from a revamped backroom staff, the team also has a new captain in the form of Ajinkya Rahane. He replaced Steven Smith in the job after the latter got banned from IPL for one year. Heinrich Klaasen had already replaced Smith.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are making their comeback in IPL after serving a ban for two years.

Along with them, Chennai Super Kings are also making a comeback to the league. Both the franchises were banned in 2015 for two years, and they missed the ninth and tenth edition of IPL.

Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an away game on April 9.

Squad: Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat, Sanju Samson, Jofra Archer, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jos Buttler, Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Darcy Short, Rahul Tripathi, Dhawal Kulkarni, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Ben Laughlin, Stuart Binny, Dushmantha Chameera, Anureet Singh, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Midhun S, Shreyas Gopal, Prashant Chopra, Jatin Saxena, Ankit Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Heinrich Klaasen.