Shane Warne, the former Australian spinner has reckoned that he could have found more success against current Indian batsmen as compared to when he played against fab five of the Indian cricket team. Warne, while speaking at Salaam Cricket Conclave of Aaj Tak, praised the fab five of Indian team, which had likes of Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid,
“I fancy my chances now (bowling to current Indian batsmen. (Virat) Kohli might be an issue, he is the best batsman in the world. They are not the best players of spin. But they are still very good. Ganguly, Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid and Laxman – these guys were quality players. They were too good. I miss watching them play. They were fantastic players,” said Warne.
Warne though played down other batsmen of Indian team but accepted the fact that Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world at present.
Further, Warne said that cricketers now-a-day earn a lot through the T20 leagues all-round the world but added that Test cricket is the ultimate cricket, where a player is put to test,
“Test cricket is still the ultimate for any cricketer. Make as much money as you can from playing in T20 leagues around the world but make sure you perform in Test cricket. You need to test yourself against the best in the business.”
Warne further mentioned the name of AB de Villiers, who according to him, has been missing Test cricket to take part in T20 leagues. De Villiers has already left the Test captaincy and has also backed out from Test series against England to played in the month of July/August,
“The best players in the world should be playing Test cricket. Someone like AB de Villiers, who wants to take a break from Tests, has to be playing the longest format,” Warne said.
Further, Warne delved into the memory lane and remembered the 1998 Test series between India and Australia, where it was all about Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. The former leggie remembered his first over against him, and also relived the memory of getting Master Blaster out,
‘The very first bowl I bowled, he smashed me for a four. But, on the third or the fourth delivery, he nicked the ball and I got him out,’ Warne said, recalling how the crowd went completely quiet.