First ever IPL XI of Rajasthan Royals - where are they now?
Rajasthan Royals is one of the franchises which were a part of IPL right from the first year in 2008. It was suspended in 2015 for two years due to alleged betting charges and the franchise made a comeback to the league in 2018.
Rajasthan is a team which has always blooded youngsters and has given them a platform to succeed at the highest level. A number of players have come through the ranks of the Royals and have gone on to represent India.
Royals were the side which had won the first ever IPL trophy in 2008. The team was led by the legendary Shane Warne, and they went on to win the cup with an inexperienced side. The team had set a precedent which hasn't been replicated by any of the IPL sides.
Rajasthan played their first match in IPL against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. The team was totally outplayed, as the Daredevils won the match with 10 wickets to spare.
1) Taruwar Kohli
Taruwar Kohli was the opening batsman of the Rajasthan team in their first match against Delhi. He had a poor outing in that match as he scored a mere 7 runs off 12 balls with a six to his name.
Kohli then made his Ranji debut in 2008 for the Punjab team against Saurashtra in Rajkot. He then went on to play for his home side Kings XI Punjab in the 2009 season. He didn't taste much success in the IPL and was dropped by the Punjab team as well.
The Punjab lad continued playing in the Ranji trophy for his state. He even scored a triple century in a Ranji match in 2011 against Jharkhand in Jamshedpur. He is presently playing for the Punjab team in Ranji trophy.
2) Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan was an important part of the Rajasthan Royals team throughout the first season of the IPL. He scored 10 runs in 5 balls in the first match before being run out by Mithun Manhas.
Pathan had a brilliant first season in the IPL as he scored 435 runs at a brilliant average of 31. He then went on to play for India on the back of his impressive performances for the Royals and was also part of the World Cup winning Indian squad in 2011.
Pathan, throughout his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, was an important part of the side and was then picked by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 season. He is also an important part of the Baroda Ranji team now.