Indian Premier League Franchise Rajasthan Royals opened their new training facility at Reed’s School. Former Rajasthan Royals player and Australian Cricketer Shane Warne was part of the launch. England cricketers Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler currently play for the IPL franchise.
Shane Warne was a true innovator on the cricket field and now after retirement it as well as he helped launch the first Indian Premier League academy in the United Kingdom.
Recently few days back IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals opened their new facility at Reed’s School in Surrey, United Kingdom.
It was first known as Star Cricket Academy but is now known as the Rajasthan Royals Academy after recent partnership, with former professional batsman Sid Lahiri as its director.
The training centre has a state-of-the-art cricket centre named the Jarrett Centre, RR said in a press release.
It is an indoor cricket training centre run by former professional batsman Siddharth Lahiri, along with his team of coaches including former England international and mentor to the academy, Keith Medlycott.
Speaking at the launch of the cricket academy, Rajasthan Royals lead owner Manoj Badale said: ‘Education and sports go hand in hand, which helps in building strong characters and leaders. Rajasthan Royals Academy is a great way to engage the youth, develop talent, and potentially find the stars of the future.’
Former Surrey cricketer Keith Medlycott, who is the cricket professional at Reed’s School, is a mentor at the new venture.
Lahiri said: ‘It feels great to be laying the foundations for the future careers of so many cricketers.
‘I am honoured to have the Rajasthan Royals on board who have always been keen on providing opportunities to young talent. We are thrilled to be starting on this new journey and are hopeful of producing cricket superstars from the Rajasthan Royals Academy.’
England Cricketer Buttler also added: ‘I am delighted that Rajasthan Royals are launching an academy in the UK. There is so much talent here and the learnings that can be transferred from the IPL and Indian cricket in general are immense.’
Meanwhile, Shane Warne believes Australia will welcome back Steve Smith and David Warner with ‘open arms’ when their international bans expire and their inclusion will boost the team’s chances of winning this year’s World Cup.
Smith and Warner had been recently suspended for One year for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year and can return to top-level cricket at the end of the month just before the Cricket World Cup 2019.
‘When you have got that sort of class as a cricketer, they will go straight back into the World Cup squad.’
The franchise said it is also keen to create an exchange programme across India and UK wherein the children from the UK will receive an opportunity to come to India at Institute of Sport, Nagpur.