The 2022 season of TATA IPL is over, and we have a winner in Gujarat Titans. The title triumph of the latest team in the competition has increased the legend of the tournament which saw the light of the day in 2008. This year’s TATA IPL has been one of the best in a while, as it saw some top notch cricket being played. Runners-up, Rajasthan Royals too played enthralling cricket throughout the season. They wanted to win the title to honor their first skipper and cricket legend Shane Warne who passed away early this year.
When Shane Warne offered to leave RR even before the season could begin –
Shane Warne was one of the most sought after names in the world of cricket and it was no different when he put his name for the inaugural IPL auction. Warne by then had retired from test cricket with 708 test wickets, 2nd only to Muralitharan. Rajasthan Royals picked him up and he was there with the shaping of the squad. Manoj Badale who was the owner of the Royals then, wanted a player who went by the name Asif in the squad. Shane Warne did not like the suggestion and told Badale that he was ready to quit RR even before the season could begin
Shane Warne documents it in his autobiography –
Shane Warne was always know to voice his opinions, whether it was about former skipper Steve Waugh or coach John Buchannan. His frank conversation with Badale is one such, which he had spoken about in his book. Warne had written "If I included Asif in the team, I would understand that a player who was not even that capable and he is also in the team. It simply means that a particular player is being favored. If you want Asif in the team, that’s fine, I’ll pay you back and I won’t be a part of Rajasthan. On this, Manoj, the owner of RR, said, are you serious, in response to which I said a lot, let me stick to this decision”
Warne leads RR to a spectacular title win –
Shane Warne and Rajasthan Royals, had one of the thinnest squads in the history of IPL 2008 season. They started their season with a loss to Delhi, but pulled up their socks to win the next few games. They made it to the finals by beating Delhi in the semi finals of the tournament. RR went on to beat MS Dhoni led CSK in the final to take home the title which was a fairytale in itself. Warne also unearthed two future India players in Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja. The youngster from Saurashtra was called Rockstar by Warne and over the years has lived up to the billing.