Shane Warne: ‘A leader who turned underdogs into champions’

Shane Warne was often called “the best captain Australia never had”, and the Indian Premier League side he led to a title triumph in 2008 paid tribute to the late Australian bowler, AFP reported.

The victory for the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the world’s most valuable cricket tournament not only lit up the Twenty20 contest but also turned several rookie Indian cricketers including Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan into popular names.

The Royals have not won again in the 13 subsequent seasons and paid an emotional tribute to the spin legend, who passed away on Friday aged 52 due to a suspected heart attack.

“Shane Warne. The name stands for magic. Our first Royal, a man who made us believe that impossible is just a myth,” the team said in a statement.

“A leader who walked the walk, talked the talk, and turned underdogs into champions. A mentor who turned everything he touched into gold.”

The Royals added: “Warnie, you’re forever going to be our captain, leader, Royal. Rest in peace, legend.”

Warne, who revived the art of leg spin and took 708 Test wickets in his glittering but controversial career, captained Australian state side Victoria and the English county Hampshire.

He also led Australia’s one-day side temporarily but reportedly lost out in the race to lead the national Test team to Ricky Ponting due to his off-field dramas.

But his teammates at the Royals hailed Warne as a leader par excellence.