Closely knit Rajasthan Royals are more than a team

Rajasthan Royals were desperate to exorcise the ghosts of the spot-fixing scandal once and for all.

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The Royals were confident as they played in their own den, where they had won all their eight matches during the sixth edition of the IPL.

The unsavoury episode has cast a dark shadow over the Indian Premier League, and dented the Royals' image badly.

But all-rounder Kevon Cooper credited the strong bond that the players share for their success.

Rajasthan Royals progressed to the semifinals of the Champions League T20 after beating Perth Scorchers.

The lanky West Indies pacer, who played a crucial role in team's win on Sunday with his four-wicket haul, said Rajasthan Royals were more than a just a cricket team.

"We are different from other franchise because we are more than a team. We enjoy each other's company and are a closely knit unit. We sit together and discuss the strategy with openness and this is the secret of our success. I feel it is great to be playing with skipper Rahul Dravid. He and coach Paddy Upton have created a fine environment," Cooper said.

"We have been playing well as a team but need to improve on fielding rather all aspects but everything has been good so far," he said.

Cooper admitted that his was a below par show with the bowling in the first two matches.

"I'm happy with my performance. It was good to come out here and bowl well and give my team a chance of winning. The Yorker is something I practiced a lot, it's very important in this format. It's great to play with players like Dravid, (Shane) Watson and we sit and plan every game with the support staff. We wanted to play good cricket here and happy to do that," he said.

Talking about their next match, Cooper said they won't take Otago Volts lightly.

"We wish to continue with our winning ways and top the group. We would be at our home ground and we don't like anyone come here and beat us," he said.

Regarding the resurgence of West Indian cricket, Cooper felt that the T20 world cup triumph has helped them a lot.

"There has been an improvement in West Indian cricket after the T20 World Cup victory. We have the ability and it is matter of just putting things in place. Talent is there and we have to put it in use. We need more consistency as well."

Asked how he would feel playing against his home team Trinidad and Tobago, the pacer said it will be a tough challenge.

"They are playing good cricket and if Rajasthan Royals have to play against them it would be a challenge for me. But here I am playing for a franchise and that is what T20 is all about," he said smilingly.