Watson presence a big boost for RR ahead of KKR encounter

Under wily Shane Warne, the Royals have started their IPL IV campaign in great style, comfortably defating Deccan Chargers and Delhi Dare Daredevils by eight and four wickets respectively in their first two games.
And Watson, who was in destructive form against Bangladesh in the just-concluded three-match ODI series, will further stregthen Rajasthan's batting as well as bowling departments.

Watson scored a mammoth 294 runs against Bangaldesh, which included a whirlwind 185 not out in the second ODI including a world record of 15 sixes. Rajasthan's batting has been the cornerstone of their victories in the opening two matches with South African Johan Botha playing the lead role with unbeaten knocks of 67 and 39.

Watson, in all probability, will replace Shaun Tait and open the batting along with ever-dependable Rahul Dravid. Warne is spoilt for choice as far as his foreign quota is concerned. Apart from himself, he has Tait, Watson, Johan Botha and Ross taylor to choose from.

However, with only four foreigners allowed to feature in the playing XI, Warne has few problems up his sleeves as he himself, Botha and Taylor are certain to play tomorrow. In that scenario, tearaway pacer Shaun Tait, who touched the 157 kmph mark against Daredevils (fastest on Indian soil), and Jacob Oram will have to sit out.

Rajasthan's bowling attack also looked impressive in the tournament so far with the likes of Amit Singh, Siddharth Trivedi and Tait all returning among wickets. Inspirational Rajsathan skipper Warne might have retired from international cricket four years ago, but the magic in is still  there in his fingers as he returned with economical figures of 2/21 and 2/17 in both the matches.

Apart from his bowling, Warne is a shrewd tactician and leads his team by example. The Knight Riders, on the other hand, have so far had a mixed bag tournament with one win (by nine runs against Deccan Chargers) and a loss (by two runs against Chennai Super Kings).