The all-rounder takes over from the now retired Dravid.
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has been named as the new captain of Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL 7 tournament, replacing the retired Rahul Dravid.
Dravid remains with the franchise in a mentoring role, but Watson will now take charge of the on-field decisions as Rajasthan look to build on their good work from 2013.
“I am honoured to lead the Rajasthan Royals, an extraordinary team which has always given me amazing opportunities,” the 32-year-old was quoted by the Times of India.
“Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid had a lot of faith in me while they were captains and gave me opportunities that helped improve my cricket.
“I hope to live up to the confidence shown in me by the franchise and give our fans an exciting season of cricket,
“My aim will be to continue playing our best cricket and maintain the winning momentum. We all want to repeat the 2008 IPL success and last season, we were quite close to that. I am confident that we can do it again.”
Watson has played for the Royals since the IPL was first started in 2008 and helped the franchise to win the tournament in that inaugural season – winning the Player of the Tournament award as well.
Between 2009 and 2012 the team disappointingly dropped off in the competition, but returned to form in 2013 and reached the play-offs despite being unfancied to do so.
Watson scored his first ever century in Twenty20 cricket last term against the Chennai Super Kings and was once again named Player of the Tournament.
To date the Australian has scored 1,765 runs in the IPL and taken 48 wickets.
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