But Watson has been unable to stay with his side because he has been called up by the Australian team for a One-Day International series against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

And Sohail will miss the entire tournament following the IPL's decision to cancel the contracts of Pakistan players due to political tension in the Asian sub-continent.

Complications

Warne concedes the situation is not ideal. "They're big losses," said the captain-coach. "I think Shane misses the first nine games playing for Australia so he'll be available for the last five games and hopefully the finals.

"He's not bowling at the moment but he's still a big loss. Sohail was sensational last year, taking early wickets and bowling at the end."

The loss is complicated by IPL rules, which restrict teams to fielding a maximum of four non-Indian players.

Warne and South African captain Graeme Smith are automatic choices so England's Dimitri Mascarenhas and South African Twenty20 specialist Tyron Henderson will compete for Watson's spot.

Hopefuls

South African Test bowler Morne Morkel and Australian Shane Harwood are battling to fill the strike bowler position, with 18-year-old left-arm rookie Kamran Khan from Uttar Pradesh also a contender to start.

"He's a tiny little guy but he bowls 140 plus," Warne added when asked about the Indian. "He's very raw but he could be a bit of a bolter."

Khan bowled just one over in the Royals' losing warm-up game against the Cape Cobras in Cape Town on Saturday but surprised Cobras captain and South African international batsman Justin Ontong with a fast yorker which scattered his stumps.

The only run he conceded was a wide, while Amit Singh, 27, from Gujarat, was also impressive, taking three for 18 in four overs and frequently deceiving the local batsmen with his slower ball.

The Royals launch the defence of their title against Bangalore's Royal Challengers on Saturday, with the spin legend's biggest immediate challenge to trim the current 27-man squad to 18 players.