Shane Warne, Australia cricket’s legendary leg-spinner died of a heart attack aged 52. Shane Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners to have played the game, made his debut in 1992 and picked 708 wickets in 145 Tests. In ODIs, Shane Warne registered 293 scalps to his name in 194 appearances.
The world of cricket is still in shock after the untimely death of Australian spin wizard Shane Warne. The man who was the 2nd highest wicket-taker in Tests in a dizzying cricket career was a revered figure who transcended his sport.
Shane Warne Instilled A Sense Of Fear While Bowling To Sachin Tendulkar: PR Sreejesh
Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh was no different. Just like the rest of the country, the Indian hockey legend also watched in awe when Shane Warne bowled and admits that every time Shane Warne began his short run-up to bowl to any Indian batter, he remained anxious, aware of the leg-spinner’s ability to cause havoc.
“In my childhood, I would never skip any matches of the Indian cricket team. Always made sure I watched cricket games. Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne were two extreme characters for me.
“Whenever India played against Australia, even though I believed that Sachin could hit any bowler for boundaries, there was a sense of fear when Warne was bowling,” PR Sreejesh said on Friday.
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne met 29 times in international matches with Shane Warne dismissing the master batsman on only four of those occasions. All in all, Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar clashed six times in the IPL.
“It was an automatic instinct to have that fear. I cannot explain it. That was just how it was. You know Warne was a very good bowler, so when he bowled against Sachin that used to be the scariest moment for me. That contest between the two is the reason I can still remember those childhood matches.”
“I still cannot forget those times when the batsman would be facing Warne and let a ball go thinking it’s going to be a wide delivery. And the ball would turn like anything and would castle the batsman. We do love Warne. We respect him. But somewhere, there was also a fear of him. We were scared of him, that was for sure,” the hockey goalkeeper said.
Indian hockey team’s keeper PR Sreejesh celebrated the milestone of playing 250 international matches for the team during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22 match between India and Spain at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
Shane Warne’s Demise Left Sunil Chetri Shocked Beyond Words
PR Sreejesh’s words are a just testimonial to how Shane Warne’s aura extended much beyond cricket. Not surprisingly, many Indian athletes from other sports tweeted in shock after the news of legendary leg spinner Shane Warne’s demise on Friday.
“Shocked beyond words on hearing about the passing of Shane Warne. Grew up watching and idolizing him for the way he played the game. What a loss…” tweeted Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri.
Sunil Chhetri has set numerous records over the last two decades. It includes being the most capped Indian international (125) and the highest Indian international goal scorer — his tally of 80 is only second to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the active players’ list.
While the early years saw Sunil Chhetri set the I-League on fire and become the highest Indian goal scorer in the league in 2017, he hasn’t lost any intensity since moving to the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2015.
Having turned out for Mumbai City FC in 2015 and 2016, and Bengaluru FC every year thereon, the Indian striker has not only scored goals aplenty but has also single-handedly led his side to victories.
Sunil Chettri is now the leading Indian football player with the most goals in the ISL. In all, Sunil Chhetri has a total of 51 goals in ISL, netted in 114 matches. His tally is only behind Nigeria’s Bartholomew Ogbeche in the top goal-scorers list in the league.