My Royals flushed with talent for new season

THE IPL is up and running and I can’t wait to put my skills to the test.

I’m fit and raring to go for hopefully a successful tournament for the Rajasthan Royals, starting tonight against the Punjab Kings.

We’ve been finalising our preparations with some decent net sessions and some game scenarios that have gone really well – and a few players look in great touch.

Impressing is Riyan

Parag, right, a young superstar who has just started batting again after being hampered by an elbow injury. Allrounder Chris Morris and seamer Mustafizur Rahman have been two great additions. With Jofra Archer injured, Fiz will be the perfect man to step up and do some damage with the new ball and then use his skills and hold his nerve at the death.

Chris does what he does as a world-class player who can close out games with bat or ball. I’ve

ENGLAND’S all-rounder gives an insight into the world’s most high-profile T20 event

played many times against him and know his quality, so I’m pleased he’s on my side now. It will be great to see the middle-order power that he will bring, especially at the back end of an innings.

ENGLAND WATCH

SAM (Super Kings) played some brilliant shots against Tom (Capitals) to take this round in the contest between the Curran brothers.

PLAY OF THE WEEK

YOU can’t get much more dramatic than the last-ball finish as Royal Challengers Bangalore edged out Mumbai Indians in the first match.