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Lack of big stars not a problem for Dravid's Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals proved yet again that they are unbeatable at their home ground in their opening Champions League Twenty20 match.

IPL winners Mumbai Indians learnt a hard way.

-CLT20 PHOTOS: Samson, Malik lift Rajasthan to victory over Mumbai

-CLT20: Rajasthan record easy 7 wicket win over Mumbai in opener

Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid was a happy man and said that in-form youngsters such as Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane are more than making up for the lack of big stars in the team.

Dravid said it was a fine all-round effort by his spirited tea after beating Mumbai Indians by seven wickets.

'Sanju and Rahane were associated in a mature partnership'

"It was superb bowling, specially by Vikramjeet Malik, we rotated our bowlers and really did well to restrict Mumbai to 142 but it was also not going to be easy to get those and we needed to bat well against a very professional side and get the job done," said Dravid.

"After my wicket, Sanju and Rahane were associated in a very mature partnership. They were up against four international bowlers but there was no panic and it was controlled and solid batting which helped consolidate and then Shane Watson and Stuart Binny finished off the job in style," he added.

'Sanju is learning and growing fast'

Dravid praised Samson, who struck a 47-ball 54.

"Sanju is learning and growing fast as a good batsman. Not all the kids get a chance to face international bowlers like (Mitchell) Johnson. He has taken his chances to flourish. It is good for Indian cricket as well," said Dravid.

"We recognise, we don't have as many big stars as other teams and want performance from all our players. I provide freedom to all team members to express themselves and don't blame them. It is about culture and environment and the freedom to express which helps to perform as a team. It is not easy under pressure, sometime it works and sometime it doesn't," he added.

'It is terrific start'

Talking about the team's bowling, Dravid said, "It was not under any strategy that I shuffled our bowlers quickly but that has been our brand of cricket. It was an instinct or spur of moment. We try and surprise the opponents.

"The wicket was under covers for quite some time and any way we like to chase and that is why we chose to field first. It is terrific start and we want to keep that going," added the skipper.