Ravindra Jadeja remembers Shane Warne in emotional tribute: He gave me huge platform during first IPL
India Today
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday said that he couldn't believe it when he heard about the shocking demise of Australian spin legend Shane Warne. Jadeja said that it was Warne who gave him a huge platform in 2008.
India star Ravindra Jadeja expressed his grief at the sudden and untimely demise of Australia spin legend Shane Warne. Jadeja recalled his time with Shane Warne during IPL 2008.
Jadeja was already a U-19 World Cup champion when he joined the Rajasthan Royals camp in the first edition of IPL back in 2008, but it was Shane Warne’s belief in the youngster’s ability that made him an instant hit among fans.
Royals won the first IPL and Jadeja did play his part, albeit as a finisher, slogging his way into Warne’s good books and was named ‘The Rockstar’.
As the world mourned the shocking death of 52-year-old Warne in Thailand’s Koh Samui, Jadeja, it seemed, is still trying to fathom the reality of the tragedy that has hit millions of cricket fans hard.
“It was shocking news. The moment I heard it, I was so sad and I wasn’t feeling well. I found it difficult to believe that this can be true,” Jadeja said when asked about his time spent with Warne.
When he first met Warne, it was more like a kid in a candy store and meeting a childhood hero.
“When I first met him in 2008, he was already a legend and I couldn’t believe that I would be playing alongside a player of Shane Warne’s stature," said Jadeja after the second day's play in the first Test against Sri Lanka.
