'He gave me a huge platform' - Ravindra Jadeja recalls IPL stint with Shane Warne

While many were shattered hearing the news of legendary spinner Shane Warne’s death on March 4, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja revealed his emotions on hearing the shocking news. Warne, 52, is suspected to have suffered a heart attack during his holiday visit to Thailand’s Koh Samui Hotel, where he was supposed to have a meeting with his friend in the evening before the unfortunate incident took place.

Warne had led Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the IPL and with a young team in place, the Australian great won a prestigious championship title against all odds. In his successful IPL campaign in the inaugural season, a 19-year-old Ravindra Jadeja, who had come out of a U-19 title-winning side, had a huge role to play as he took up the finishing duties for the franchise. Jadeja, 33 now, is currently a part of the Indian squad and has emerged as the country’s premiee all-rounder and he looked back at his younger days with Warne.

Shane Warne’s death was difficult to believe: Ravindra Jadeja

“It was a shocking news. The moment I heard it, I was so sad ..and I wasn’t feeling well. I found it difficult to believe that this can be true. When I first met him in 2008, he was already a legend and  I couldn’t believe that I would be playing alongside a player of Shane Warne’s stature,” Ravindra Jadeja said in the press conference after the second day’s play in the ongoing opening Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Jadeja further recalled that he came into the side from the U-19 team and noted Warne gave him the platform to relish. He highlighted the emotions of death and stressed the fact that life can shock you with instances like these.

“We were just coming out of our U-19s and to share the dressing room with Warne was a huge thing for youngsters like us. He gave me a huge platform and post U-19, it was a direct entry into the IPL. His death shows that there are no certainties in life. Anything can happen anytime and this kind of news suddenly shocks you to ‘what the hell is happening?’ I want to pray to almighty that his soul rests in peace,” he added.