Rahul Dravid set to mentor Rajasthan Royals for another IPL season
Indian batting icon Rahul Dravid will continue his association with Rajasthan Royals after agreeing to mentor the IPL franchise for the 2015 IPL season, carrying on from last season, confirmed team CEO Raghu Iyer.
"He continues being a mentor for another season. He has got various other commitments but I am glad he has decided to help us for another year," Iyer said.
Iyer added that he is delighted at Dravid’s decision to stay as his presence has been a big boost to all the young Indian players in the squad. The former Indian captain played for the Royals from 2011 to 2013 before agreeing to become mentor for the first time during the 2014 IPL season.
"It is outstanding to have him. Strategically he is a tremendous help and the junior cricketers in the squad get to learn so much from him. Overall it is a big boost that he has decided to stay. He personifies what Royals are all about," he said.
Meanwhile, Royals have released Unmukt Chand to Mumbai Indians in the first of three trading windows for the IPL.
Unmukt Chand released to Mumbai Indians
Despite Chand’s release, however, Iyer said it is unlikely that they will be making an addition to their 24-member squad during the current window.
"We actually have enough players to choose from. Probably we will think about some players closer to the IPL. As far as Unmukt is concerned, Mumbai Indians wanted him and we let him go. He was not getting the right opportunities with us and he is too good a player to be sitting on the bench. It would have been unfair to hold on to him.
"Overall our existing resources are fantastic. We have a great team. We just need a few tweaks here and there and those changes we will we make before the tournament," he said.
Waiting for Supreme Court verdict on spot-fixing trial
Talking about the Supreme Court being expected to announce its verdict on the IPL spot-fixing case, where the likes of Sreesanth among others were arrested after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the 2013 edition, at a hearing on November 10, Iyer said he is hoping for a fair verdict.
“The committee has done what they were directed to do by the Supreme Court and now have to wait see what the verdict is. After the unfortunate episode, the cricketers have far more amount of education on the subject. They are more aware of the dire consequences but you can never say that it won't happen again."