Archive photo of Sachin Tendulkar with Shane Warne© AFP
Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar reminisced on Tuesday with the late Australian spinner Shane Warne. Warne tragically died of a heart attack early this month at the age of 52. “It was in the year 1991 that I played against him. We played an exhibition game against the Prime Minister’s XI. And here comes a stocky, strong, blond man who was bowling leg spin. The focus was on other bowlers, by this time I had played international cricket for a few years and the focus was on the rest of the attack, but Shane came and threw some incredible deliveries,” Tendulkar said in a video on his YouTube channel and 100MB app.
Watch: Sachin Tendulkar Shares Memories of Shane Warne
“He wasn’t as accurate compared to what he became towards the latter part of his career, but it was clear that he had strong fingers, good wrist posture, strong shoulders and gave a good tear. I got beaten a few times as the ball turned. On Australian surfaces, the ball didn’t turn at first, but as the match progressed, the ball started to turn. But Shane was someone who could turn the ball from day 1, “he added.
Tendulkar went on to say that he last met Warne in London – where he had visited after IPL 2021. The two got together and even played golf.
“After the last IPL I went to England to spend some time in London where we got in touch and also planned a round of golf. It was fun. When Shane was around there was never a dull moment. He was full of entertainment and jokes and those mini fights we had i realize not only the spin but the swing was natural to him he was a good golfer i hate to say he was because we have to accept what has happened For us he will live in our hearts,” Tendulkar said.
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“I enjoyed meeting him physically in London, but even I posted that, I remember my last message to him was when he got into a bike accident. I said hope you’re okay, are you okay? a spin and he slipped and I’m injured but I should be fine So my response to that was – you could spin the ball however you wanted but taking your bike for a spin is not a good idea my friend And he responded saying he was on painkillers for 4-5 days and he should be fine,” he added.
Warne claimed his 700th Test wicket on the ground on Boxing Day in 2006 when he sacked England captain Andrew Strauss and finished his career with 56 Test wickets at the iconic venue.
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