Inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals paid tribute to Australia’s great leg-spinning champion and ‘first royal’ Shane Warne on Saturday in a heartwarming video ahead of their match against Mumbai Indians at DY Stadium Patil on Saturday evening, which will be dedicated to the Australian leg. – runs very well.
Warne left the cricketing world in mourning when he died of a sudden heart attack aged 52 on March 4 on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Warne had coached and steered Rajasthan to victory in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. After his playing days for Rajasthan ended, Warne took over as the team’s mentor for each edition of the IPL until 2021.
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“I think he was a very special individual, a very special cricketer for almost every cricketer in the world and it was the same for me! The players really feel like they’re doing it for Warnie this once,” skipper Sanju Samson said.
Rajasthan will sport a special jersey with SW23 written on the main collar against Mumbai Indians as a tribute to Warne. The game against Mumbai will be played at the site where Warne inspired Rajasthan to win the IPL 2008 with a three-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings.
A special area of DY Patil Stadium was also transformed into a Shane Warne Tribute Gallery outside of #ForWarnie retained as the hashtag for the special tribute on the franchise’s social media handles. Warne’s brother Jason will fly to Mumbai to watch the game and be part of the tribute.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, currently the tournament’s top scorer, highlighted what makes Warne special. “The belief that he could instill in others, I think that was the biggest thing I took away. I think he made you feel 10 feet tall when you were around him. Without really m realizing that, I think we’re all obviously playing for something bigger than ourselves.”
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, the tournament’s main wicket taker, never had a chance to interact with Warne in Rajasthan colors but felt Warne’s best wishes were with him since he joined the team.
“I had my first hat-trick after coming here, so I think his wishes are and will always be with me. So, I think his wishes are and will always be with me. And if we win the IPL, that trophy will obviously be for him.”
Rajasthan sit second in this year’s IPL points table, with 12 points from eight matches. Rajasthan CEO Jake Lush McCrum felt that Warne would have been proud of the team’s performance in the tournament.
“I think he would have been proud of the way the guys have played this year. He would have been proud of the way we approached the game. His last game for RR was against Mumbai. We won the IPL at the DY Patil stadium. that’s where this game is taking place. So I think it will be a big celebration of the sport and a celebration for him to be in such a game.”
Team manager Romi Bhinder recalled an incident where everyone felt Warne’s presence was always on the sidelines. “We put a picture of him where his hand is outstretched and a few days ago I saw Jos give him a high five and say ‘Legend’! It’s the little things like that where the team feels his presence .”
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The video ended with a clipping from Warne saying, “The key to IPL, what I found out and thought was the first thing, you have to win people’s hearts.”
Always with us. #ForWarnie | #Royal family | #RRvMI | @josbutter pic.twitter.com/7DeqL5qvjE
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 30, 2022
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