Shane Warne has announced his retirement from professional cricket and the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the last the world will see of the spin legend.
Rajasthan Royals said they want to retain the Australian and offered him a “larger role” from the next season.
Warne, who has coached and captained Royals since the first edition in 2008 when he inspired a bunch of youngsters to title triumph, posted on his Twitter account that the current season will be his last as a player but did not rule out the possibility of him being a mentor in the future seasons.
“Yes this is my last year playing IPL – please come down and support RR last 2 home games v chennai & Bangalore ! We need your help !!!,” Warne tweeted.
The Australian joined the IPL after retiring from international cricket and in the very first season guided Royals to the title. He has led from the front and bowled with the same intensity and guile that is expected from the world class spinner.
In 52 IPL games spread across four seasons, Warne has picked up 56 wickets at an average of 24.66. His performance in the current season has been impressive, to say the least. The 41-year-old has 11 wickets to his name in nine matches. And the fighter that he is, Warne wants to go out on a high.
“Want RR to go out on a high – we must win at least 2 if not 3 of our last 4… I will miss the IPL but it’s been fun for the last 4 seasons.”
Warne asked the Royals’ fans to come out to the ground and support the team in the remaining four matches.
“Thanks for all the support you have given me and RR – hope to see you down at the ground.. I am going to enjoy my last 4 games – win please,” he wrote.
Warne might not have committed to his association with Rajasthan Royals but the franchise was quick to come out with a statement that he will continue to be an integral part of the team.
“Shane Warne has been an integral part of Rajasthan Royals for the last four years. He has been instrumental in nurturing young talent in the team and making Rajasthan Royals a formidable force in IPL. He will continue his association with the Royals in coming years and will offer his invaluable guidance to young players. We are looking forward to him assuming a larger role in the team and continuing adding value to the team’s success,” Raghu Iyer, chief marketing officer of Rajasthan Royals, said in a statement.
Rajasthan Royals are at fourth position in the league and are still in the hunt for qualifying through to the next stage.