Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan paid tribute to Shane Warne, who passed away on Friday (4th March). He said that the Australian spin wizard did more than anyone else for the betterment of spin-bowling.
Shane Warne’s sudden demise shell shocked the entire cricket fraternity. The Australian legend passed away at the age of 52 due to a suspected heart attack in Thailand. His management stated that he was found unresponsive in his Villa and failed to revive.
Warne represented Australia in 145 Tests and picked 708 wickets at an average of 25.42 to go with 37 five-wicket hauls. He also scalped 293 wickets in 194 ODIs and was a part of Australia’s World Cup-winning run in 1999.
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Speaking to India Today, Muttiah Muralitharan said ‘legendary cricketer’ Shane Warne will be remembered as one of the greats in history. He was shocked by his sudden demise and cited that it’s a big loss for the cricket fraternity.
"It's shocking. I don't know what to say. He's a good friend and also a legendary cricketer. What he has done for spin bowling is more than anyone. He will be remembered as one of the greats in history. It's not the age to die. He was fit whenever I saw him. It's sad for the whole cricket fraternity. It's a big, big loss for the cricketing fraternity,” Muttiah Muralitharan said.
Muttiah Muralitharan further revealed that Shane Warne impressed him the first time he saw him in 1992.
"I first saw him in 1992. He won a match for Australia in difficult times. Then I thought, he was going to be a different bowler. It's shocking news for the world,” he said.
Read Also: Thailand police rules out any foul play in the death of Shane Warne
Apart from this, Muttiah Muralitharan also took to his official Twitter account and paid tribute to Warne, who passed away at such an early age. He heaped rich praise on him and said that many will miss his ‘versatile personality’.
He also recalled how Warne helped the Sri Lankan organization after Tsunami affected the Island nation.
“I’m deeply shocked and saddened that the legendary Shane Warne with whom I have had years of cricketing association has passed away at such an early age,” he Tweeted.
“He was truly a genius in reviving the art of leg-spin to be in the forefront of Australian cricket dominance and I have greatly admired him for the way in which he created bowling history,” he Tweeted.
“I will remember him for the great memories we have shared together and extend my heartfelt and deepest condolences to his immediate family and loved ones as we will all miss his versatile personality, later as a top-notch commentator,” he Tweeted.
“I can’t forget the way in which he supported the @FOGoodness post-tsunami to set up the platform towards creating awareness for rebuilding, reconstruction and rehabilitation, visiting Seenigama with 60 Minutes AUS, when we both partnered to enrich humanity,” he concluded.
