The team from India’s princely state didn’t quite command the kind of respect and interest that befits royalty. So when the Rajasthan Royals, led by Shane Warne, swept the opposition away and took home the first-ever IPL title, everyone was surprised. Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson were the other big names that powered the side, but it was players like Swapnil Asnodkar and Ravindra Jadeja that shone.

IPL 2009 got underway with Bollywood diva Shilpa Shetty and her then fiance Raj Kundra also joining the franchise as co-owners. Kaif was left out and Watson was unavailable. Tyron Henderson, who was roped in after a tug-of-war with KXIP, played just one game. Yusuf Pathan starred in a win over KKR in the only Super Over of the tournament. At the 2010 auction, Rajasthan bought two Australian players – Adam Voges and in a surprise move, the out of action Damien Martyn. The team had bought out Tyron Henderson, Robert Quiney and Mohd Kaif prior to the auction.

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The reigning title-holders of the second edition of the IPL, Deccan Chargers had a fairytale second season. Plagued by poor performances, the team was placed at the bottom of the table at the end of IPL’s opening season. But they scripted an incredible turnaround in the second edition, claiming the title. Much credit for their rags to riches story goes to their captain Adam Gilchrist.

His compatriot Darren Lehmann joined the team as coach for the second edition. Deccan’s pace attack is led by the fiery Fidel Edwards and the steady RP Singh. They bought out Sri Lankans Nuwan Zoysa and Chamara Silva ahead of the third edition. To further strengthen their bowling, they picked up the much sought after West Indies fast bowler, Kemar Roach, for a staggering USD 720,000 at the 2010 auction. U-19 player Harmeet Singh was also picked for the coming tournament.

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