Remembering spin legend Shane Warne on his 53rd birthday through a tweet put out by his family
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Shane Warne
A tweet from the official handle of late Shane Warne took the social media by storm on Tuesday. “A legacy gives you a perspective on what’s important. It is about the richness of an individual’s life, including what they accomplished and the impact they had on people and places. Shane’s Legacy will live on. Happy birthday – always in our hearts.”
For a few moments after reading the tweet, the heart wished Warnie were reborn. Or, news of his death was something fake. Well, September 13, happens to be the Aussie legend’s birthday. It brings back memories not in a trickle but in a torrent. For someone who was so full of life, lived it king-size, “sudden death” of the real sorts in Koh Samui, Thailand, this March, broke billions of hearts.
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Shane Warne passed away on 4th March 2022
Here was the legend who had gone to take a break in Thailand with friends in a scenic place in Thailand. That it turned out to be his last flight from home was as bewildering as his leg spin. When batsmen get out, they get a chance to bounce back later. It could be one match later or two.
For Warnie, as he was popularly known, to be bowled by a heart attack was like a heavyweight boxer landing a huge thud. No standing count, lights out, for this man who would have turned 53 today. When legends pass away, they leave behind a treasure trove of memories.
In Warne’s case, everyone can reel off his stats across all formats of cricket. Yet, what left a lasting impression was how he was full of life. He partied hard, smiled and his tongue lolled out while bowling. Today, when spinners are making such a huge impact in the shortest form of cricket — T20 –Warne has to be remembered.
He had variety, his deliveries were vicious and to borrow an oft-repeated word, he would bamboozle batsmen. Some like Sachin Tendulkar did win a desert duel with him in the United Arab Emirates many years ago when ODIs were more enchanting. Perhaps, that one hammering from Sachin had knocked out Warne, usually the tormentor, briefly.
They say, God Loves Those Who Die Young. Wish, this was not applicable to Warne as his death leaves behind a void for billions around the globe. Such was the impact of the Aussie bloke, he left fans wiping tears for very long. So many memorial services were held for him.
Today is his birth anniversary. So many action replays come to the mind. His India connect was always special. As much as he tormented Indian batsmen, his association with Rajasthan Royals in the formative years of the Indian Premier League was an education.
That he mentored the Rajasthan team and instilled belief in them can never be forgotten. We talk of strike rate in batting in T20s. Warne played 145 Test and took 708 wickets, which spoke volumes. It was a phenomenal record, till 2007. Records are meant to be broken and Warne never minded it.
That Warne played the shortest format with relish was a sign of his willingness to take risks. At a time when leg spin as an art was dying, Warne’s wares attracted attention, aroused interest. There was no point trying to understand his bowling through sheer replays. His bowling was an art and a science.
His demonstrations were lessons for all, batsmen, bowlers, spectators and even commentators. His lavish lifestyle may have made him look a bit like a bum. So, when Warne faced a dope ban before the World Cup in 2003 for using diuretics, it was shocking. He did return, though.
Warne was a party animal an image which usually does not match athletes who are very conscious. He drank, he smoked, he laughed. Live life, kingsize. Well, he lived life and loved it. Sadly, Warne is not there today but one most not mourn his demise but raise a toast to a man who brought us greatest joy with his artistry and exploits.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)