Shane Warne's Desire To Win And To Entertain Made Him So Loved Across The World - Suresh Raina

Former Indian player Suresh Raina recalled his memory of watching late Australian player Shane Warne play during his childhood. The former Australian spin bowler passed away on Friday (March 4) in Thailand due to a suspected heart attack, as reported by Fox Sports media.

Warne was very well-known for mastering the art of spin bowling and with the abundance of variations he had in his quiver, the spin wizard would deceive the opposition batters which would leave the fans of the game in amusement. Ask former England batter Mike Gatting on how he felt after missing a massive leg-spin from Warnie- a ball that went to be called as ‘Ball of the Century.’

Shane Warne’s desire to win and entertain was something that always stuck with me: Suresh Raina

Although Raina might have not got the opportunity to play against the legendary spinner in international cricket, the southpaw did face him in the first four seasons of the Indian Premier League during the matches between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

Remembering the master of spin, Raina said he was left awestruck after watching Warne’s bowling in the  2005-06 Ashes against England in their own backyard and picked 40 wickets from five Tests.

“I remember grew up watching him, and the way he conducted on the field. Just so cool and different, always wanting to win. That desire to win and entertain was something that always stuck with me while I was growing up,” Raina said, as reported by Hindustan Times. 

“I remember watching that Ashes series of 2005-06 in England, and remember being in awe of it. It was such a hard-fought series and Warne was at the center of it, in almost every match, almost every day. He led by example, and his desire to win and to entertain is exactly what made him so loved across the world, not just Australia,” he added. 

Everyone in Rajasthan Royals were so united under Shane Warne’s leadership: Suresh Raina

Rajasthan Royals have only one IPL title in the inaugural season under the acumen of Warne as they defeated Raina’s former IPL team Chennai Super Kings in the final of IPL 2008 final by three wickets. Raina, who was part of the losing side in that IPL final, said every player in Royals were united under Warne’s captaincy.

“He commanded respect on and off the field, and it showed in that campaign. Everyone in Rajasthan Royals were just so united under his leadership, because of his personality and the passion he had for the game along with that knowledge,” Raina asserted. 

Warne retired from international cricket after playing his last Test match against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the Ashes 2006-07.

Also Read: Shane Warne Arguably “The Greatest Cricketer” To Ever Play The Game: Nasser Hussain