When Warne made Rajasthan groove to his winning beat
AHMEDABAD: As Rajasthan Royals face Gujarat Titans on Sunday, former players hope the team can pull off a victory as a tribute to their first captain Shane Warne, who inspired the rank outsiders in the inaugural IPL, beating MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the final.
Royals have reached their first IPL final since that triumph, but there is no Warne to rejoice. The Aussie spin legend died on March 4. On the eve of his memorial at the MCG, RR had tweeted a Warne poster with the caption: “With us, wherever we go!”
This season, the team has invoked the spirit of Warne. Skipper Sanju Samson was playing a U-16 final in Kerala and watched Warne lift the trophy on TV. As the team gets another shot at n IPL triumph, members of the 2008 team recall the first win.
Yusuf Pathan, Player-of-thefinal after his 3/22 and a 39-ball 56 recalls Warne’s impact. Like earlier in the season, Warne sought out his match-winner on the eve of the final. “Whenever we had an important match coming up, he would come two days before and tell me how I should play, who will be the (key) bowlers, and give me confidence that “you can win me this game, you are my match-winner.” I always remembered his words when I played a big match for Royals,” the former India all-rounder said, recalling that three-wicket win. “It was a very emotional moment for me when he passed away. If this team can lift the trophy, there won’t a better tribute to Warne.”
Players’ man
The Aussie great always made sure the players were not exhausted. “He used to ensure the players were fresh. That helped us a lot. He focused on small things, like how to make the travel more comfortable. He decided we will start the warm-up late, taking into account the heat factor during this time of the year in India.”
That victory was about how Warne inspired a bunch of mostly rookies in a new format. He named a young Ravindra Jadeja the “rockstar”. Opener Swapnil Asnodkar was another example of the Warne touch. The Goa player recalled: “It was chaos because before the final there was a programme (closing ceremony). Warne told us to be calm and be in present, and focus. Immediately after the programme, the final started. Warnie had told us to make sure we didn’t lose concentration. At the same time he told us not to take it as a big game but approach it as just another game, enjoy. He was the best thing to happen to RR. I am sure, this year if Royals win, it will be dedicated to Warne.”
Warne owes his cult status in the Royals set-up to how he helped players like leg-spinner Dinesh Salunkhe. Warne’s impact has been huge on him. “Memories mein Warne hai,” says Salunkhe, who now coaches in Chembur and plays for the DY Patil team.
Warne made everyone feel at ease, so much so that even Salunkhe didn’t hesitate to jump on Warne to celebrate a wicket. “He had made that rapport. “I have played the cricket I have played, but now I am playing with you, so we should have the same bonding”. He didn’t keep that barrier,” says Yusuf.
Royals beat CSK in both the league matches as well that season. Salunkhe recalls that Warne would predict what he was going to do. “Before the first match against CSK, he told me about Dhoni: “When Dhoni comes to bat I will keep a slip and get him there.” He bowled the first ball, it turned across the face of Dhoni’s bat; on the third ball, he got him caught at slip by Graeme Smith.
“The moment we entered the final yesterday, my mind went to the 2008 final,” says Asnodkar. “This team has taken motivation from him, he’s been the inspiration. Surely Warne’s blessings are there on the team. He is probably watching from above and guiding them. The journey is going in a smooth way, I am sure they are going to win the final.”