IPL 2018: Shane Warne terms one RR player as 'class'

This year’s campaign for the Jaipur-based franchise at the IPL has been a topsy-turvy ride. The men in blue have failed to be consistent as their overseas players have been a major disappointment in the first half of the season. The likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Butler have been in form of late, but the lack of consistency in their performance has been a cause of concern for the coach and the captain.

However, the addition of Jofra Archer, gave a boost to their campaign. As the mentor at Rajasthan Royals, Shane Warne believes that Archer has provided the much-needed balance to the side as they now look more potent to qualify for the playoffs. The mighty West Indian, who was deemed unavailable for the first few games, joined their campaign late after the team didn’t have a great start to the tournament.

Archer has been phenomenal

Warne expressed his views about the Caribbean player Jofra Archer, who has added more firepower to their armory. He has done wonders for the team ever since his joining with the squad. His toe-crushing yorkers in the death and the ability to bowl the hardball has done a world of good to solve Rajasthan’s death bowling conundrum. In his first two games for the Royals, Archer was up to the task, bagging three wickets in each of the encounters.

“Archer is a class player, with him we have more chance (to enter the playoffs). Disappointed not to have him for the first few games. Our chances are pretty good as players like Archer definitely help the side. He has been brilliant for us,” Warne told TOI.

His take on not able to lead Australia

The former leg-spinner was quick to react when queried about any regrets to not lead the Australian side in his span as a cricketer. “No, not all regret. Lucky to have played under good captains for Australia. I enjoyed being the vice-captain, “Warne mentioned.

He relished the opportunity to play under some of the greats to have ever embraced the game. “I had a wonderful opportunity to work with captains like Mark Taylor, Allan Border. But I really enjoyed being the captain of Rajasthan in the first ever IPL 2008,” said Warne.

[interaction id=”5af98861e6c57e068c3fbd7a”]