Charisma and attitude is what sets stars aside. Shane Warne is one such personality who even while walking away from the spotlight continues to provide the thrill.
No brooding, no tears, just the usual friendly banter. After having mesmerized batsmen and audiences alike for more than 20 years, the 41-year-old showman doffed his hat to the IPL, on Friday night. He thanked all and added, "I hope you've enjoyed me play."
Daringly different, Warne, despite all the controversies that surrounded him, seemed at ease and delighted with himself.
Summing up his stay at the IPL, Warne just didn't seem to stop. "I don't think I've ever been happier in my entire life. My last game was on my son's birthday, who turned twelve tonight, and it's quite ironic. My kids are 14, 12 and 10 and I'm happier than I've ever been before. Business wise I've got three, four companies that are doing great. I've got two or three more business offers on the table. I'm in the middle of setting up a free cricket academy where any young spinner can come - maybe in Dubai, India - and learn for free.
"My charity, my foundation of which I am the chairman has raised $5 million for underprivileged children and I'll continue to do that. I will spend some time with my children, some with Elizabeth (Hurley) - which should be pretty cool."
Indeed, the Indian domestic T20 league gave Warne what he may have missed otherwise. Recalling his best, he termed the first season in 2008 as the most memorable.
"No one then knew what to expect at the IPL. Auctions, franchises, massive money for players for six weeks' work... what's going on? And that was what lured me out of time, but it's been pretty cool. We (Royals) played phenomenal cricket through that season and it was all new and fresh, you didn't exactly know what to do, you wanted to be a step ahead of your opposition. We were the first to open bowling with spin, some copied it and we felt it was a nice back-handed compliment," he said.
Having soaked in the T20 razzmatazz, Warne also didn't rule out his return but in a new avatar. "I surely won't be here a 100% as a full-time coach, there's no point being there as a coach for seven weeks, I might as well play. But I can see myself in a consultancy role maybe for just a few days. That might be with the Royals... they're my first priority, if not then I may work an agreement with someone else," quipped the Victorian.
He also wished for the ICC to keep international calendar free for IPL. "I look through the IPL with fondness and wish and hope that the ICC would look at it and say no international cricket for six weeks, every player is available to play and that'll help break barriers. There'll be no sledging and everyone will be friends."
Warne was proud of the way he bowled in the tournament, but added that it was time to move on.
No brooding, no tears, just the usual friendly banter. After having mesmerized batsmen and audiences alike for more than 20 years, the 41-year-old showman doffed his hat to the IPL, on Friday night. He thanked all and added, "I hope you've enjoyed me play."
Daringly different, Warne, despite all the controversies that surrounded him, seemed at ease and delighted with himself.
Summing up his stay at the IPL, Warne just didn't seem to stop. "I don't think I've ever been happier in my entire life. My last game was on my son's birthday, who turned twelve tonight, and it's quite ironic. My kids are 14, 12 and 10 and I'm happier than I've ever been before. Business wise I've got three, four companies that are doing great. I've got two or three more business offers on the table. I'm in the middle of setting up a free cricket academy where any young spinner can come - maybe in Dubai, India - and learn for free.
"My charity, my foundation of which I am the chairman has raised $5 million for underprivileged children and I'll continue to do that. I will spend some time with my children, some with Elizabeth (Hurley) - which should be pretty cool."
Indeed, the Indian domestic T20 league gave Warne what he may have missed otherwise. Recalling his best, he termed the first season in 2008 as the most memorable.
"No one then knew what to expect at the IPL. Auctions, franchises, massive money for players for six weeks' work... what's going on? And that was what lured me out of time, but it's been pretty cool. We (Royals) played phenomenal cricket through that season and it was all new and fresh, you didn't exactly know what to do, you wanted to be a step ahead of your opposition. We were the first to open bowling with spin, some copied it and we felt it was a nice back-handed compliment," he said.
Having soaked in the T20 razzmatazz, Warne also didn't rule out his return but in a new avatar. "I surely won't be here a 100% as a full-time coach, there's no point being there as a coach for seven weeks, I might as well play. But I can see myself in a consultancy role maybe for just a few days. That might be with the Royals... they're my first priority, if not then I may work an agreement with someone else," quipped the Victorian.
He also wished for the ICC to keep international calendar free for IPL. "I look through the IPL with fondness and wish and hope that the ICC would look at it and say no international cricket for six weeks, every player is available to play and that'll help break barriers. There'll be no sledging and everyone will be friends."
Warne was proud of the way he bowled in the tournament, but added that it was time to move on.
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