IPL 2018 (Team Profile): Sans Smith, Rahane-led Royals aim to return with a bang

New Delhi, April 5 (CRICKETNMORE) - Back after serving a two-year ban due to a spot-fixing scandal, inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals will definitely miss the star power of beleaguered former Australian captain Steve Smith but will

With legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, who led Royals to the title triumph in 2008, roped in as the Team mentor, Royals will also have a good think-tank in the team dugout.

Besides Warne, Amol Muzumdar has been appointed as Royals batting coach, while former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule has joined in as the spin bowling coach. South African Paddy Upton has been retained as the head coach of the blue brigade.

In the bowling front, besides Unadkat who became the costliest Indian player, Archer, Ben Laughlin and Dushmantha Chameera will grace Rajasthan's pace line-up that also includes Dhawal Kulkarni and Anureet Singh.

The spin department of the Warne-mentored side might be thin on experience with uncapped spinners Sudhesan Midhun, Ankit Sharma and Zahir Khan of Afghanistan in their ranks.

Royals have never depended on star power and this time too despite the likes of Stokes in their arsenal, could be the 'dark horse' every team should worry about.