'We are better equipped for death overs this season'

Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid said death bowling was not a worry for his side this season as not only their experienced bowlers are back, they have a good backup after signing a few more exciting players.

"We were hampered by injuries to our main bowlers Shaun Tait, Kevin Kooper and Sreesanth.

Moreover, Shane Watson was not available for most of the matches and that meant that at times the responsibility of bowling death overs was shouldered by rather inexperienced bowlers," Dravid, who will also coach the side, said.

"We had to pay price for that but this time we are better equipped. In the auctions, we went for Fidel Edwards and James Faulkner under our backup plans," Dravid said after the launch of official fan wear collection of the team.

"Edwards can generate good pace like Tait and Australian youngster James Faulkner has been doing well in this version of cricket. Sreesanth too is fit and available.

"He has been bowling very well at the nets and practice matches. He is eager to prove himself and that is why he slogged in the nets even after the practice match. So this time we won't be facing the heat in death overs," said the skipper.

Dravid hinted that Shane Watson might get to bowl in the tournament but added that the decision lies remains with the Aussie all-rounder.

"I feel at some point of time he will bowl but he will have to decide himself. He is such an imposing player and a person that his presence alone is great for us.

"He is an asset for us whether he bowls or not. He will be reaching Delhi on the morning of April 6 and would miss the first match (against Delhi Daredevils) but would be available for the rest," Dravid said.

Former Indian skipper, however, did not reveal who will open with Ajinkya Rahane.

"Yes, there might be some thinking but that also means that we will have more options. Ajinkya Rahane and I did a pretty good job at the start. We are planning out strategies which cannot be divulged here," he said.

Dravid did not seem too concerned about the poor-form of Rahane and Watson in the last Test series.

"Who says they are in bad form? I don't want to "jinx" Ajinkya. He has been batting very well in the nets and the practice matches, and Shane too can bounce back any time," Dravid, who scored 462 runs, including two half-centuries in the previous edition of the tournament, asserted.