Warne's Royals finally come to the real IPL party

Ahmedabad: Shane Warne put an arm around Dav Whatmore as the Kolkata Knight Riders coach finished his post-match media briefing to pass on his commiserations. Warne, whose team notched a 34-run victory, Rajasthan's first in this IPL, understood very well what it meant it be on the losing side. Rajasthan had entered the match after having tasted three successive defeats.

It was a must-win situation otherwise Warne was ready to push the red panic button which he had promised he would earlier in the week after losing to Delhi.

But on Saturday, Rajasthan finally put all those strategies and tactics, worked out by Warne and his coaching staff, to use effectively without any stutter.

Even a first-ball wicket of Englishman Michael Lumb did not create nerves in the Rajasthan camp, as the hard-hitting duo of Naman Ojha and debutant Faiz Faisal got into the act immediately and forced Kolkata's bowlers to retreat.

Adam Voges, playing his first game, then teamed up ably with Abhishek Jhunjhunwala to raise a challenging target despite Yusuf Pathan once again failing to create an impact.

In response to Royals' 168 for seven, Kolkata finished with 134 for five.u00a0 "It was not our best. We need to bowl well and show some intensity on the field," captain Sourav Ganguly said.

Warne took the opportunity to remind everyone about his complete faith in the middle order comprising Jhunjhunwala, Yusuf, Adam Voges and Paras Dogra who did not feature in the team today. "I have been telling you guys that our middle order is good," he said.