'Lovely gesture': Cricket fans laud beautiful Shane Warne tribute
Shane Warne's original Indian Premier League (IPL) the Rajasthan Royals have paid special tribute to the former star ahead of their scheduled T20 match.
The legendary spinner was a special figure in the franchise's history having won the inaugural tournament as captain of the Royals in 2008.
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The Royals, along with the cricket world, were devastated to learn Warne died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand in March.
And to pay their respects to the 'Spin King', the Royals wore a special jersey with the No.23 on the collar.
Players from both teams stood in a line for a moments silence for the legendary spinner and father of three.
In a lovely moment, fans in the crowd were spotted with a banner reading: "This one's for you Warnie".
Fans took to social media to pay their respects for Warne, known as the First Royal.
In memory of the first Royal 🙌#RR are dedicating this match to their first Captain - Shane Warne #TATAIPL | #RRvMI | #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/tsFh1Njw2m
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2022
This is for Warne. #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/w8BTbSYKFq
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 30, 2022
A round of applause from both teams in memory of Shane Warne ahead of the RR v MI clash tonight.
Warne captained RR to their first trophy in 2008 at DY Patil Stadium, the venue of today's clash. pic.twitter.com/q7IvKbL7lE— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 30, 2022
“There are instances where you can say the team still feels his presence.”#ForWarnie | #RRvMI | #RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/UMC7XKrOWY
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 30, 2022
This one's for you Warnie ❤️
Rajasthan Royals also pay tribute here to late Australian spinner Shane Warne by wearing a special 'SW23' jersey 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/8rSuxh4ftu— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 30, 2022
‘This one’s for you Warnie’
Great gesture from Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. It’s just more than a game. RR, truly love Shane Warne, Dedicating the game to him.— Priyam Singh (@priyamthinkso) April 30, 2022
What a gesture from @rajasthanroyals
This one is surely for Shane Warne.#RRvsMI | #RRvMI | #IPL2022 | #HallaBol | #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/k2iyU94BWQ— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) April 30, 2022
A fitting tribute to Shane Warne with a minute-long applause from both the sides. 🙌#ForWarnie https://t.co/vT9hAKKEy7
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 30, 2022
Rajasthan Royals tribute to Shane Warne. This is a lovely gesture. Do watch this 6min clip. @rajasthanroyals #IPL2022 #MIvRR @ShaneWarne
pic.twitter.com/1tSPO9omrV— Waadaplaya!!! 🏏 #IPL2022 (@waadaplaya) April 30, 2022
This image has all of my heart. 😄 #ForWarnie pic.twitter.com/0tELH4jcHD
— AJN (@LifeIsAnElation) April 30, 2022
Shane Warne's coaching ambitions
Warne led the Rajasthan Royals to their first ever title in 2008.
The inaugural season helped turn Royal players Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan into cricket stars.
The Aussie Spin King was farewelled at a memorial service attended by some 55,000 people at the MCG last week.
Warne, who died on March 4, was head coach of Spirit's men's side for the inaugural year of the Hundred competition in 2021.
The tragic death of Australia's greatest ever bowler continues to be felt around the world and fellow Aussie Bayliss says his appointment as interim head coach of London Spirit has left him with mixed feelings.
"It is obviously very bittersweet to take the role, given the circumstances," the 59-year-old said.
"It is an honour to try and build on the work Warnie started. The side knew what he and Eoin were trying to build and I hope we can do that this year."
Before his tragic death, Warne had made no secret of his desire to further his coaching career by putting his hand up for the England role vacated by Chris Silverwood.
While many people questioned at the time whether Warnie was serious, fellow commentator Isa Guha revealed after his death that he was quite serious about the idea.
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