Shane Warne shares a hilarious incident during his earlier days with Rajasthan Royals

The first season of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) was undoubtedly a memorable one for Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they became the champions of the inaugural season. The team didn’t have the big names in their ranks and was influentially captained by the legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne. The 2011 edition of the T20 tournament turned out to be his last as a player.

In 55 matches, the former tweaker nipped out 57 wickets at an economy of 7.27. Last season, the 49-year-old turned out as the mentor of the franchise. Recently, the retired bowler reminisced a funny incident surrounding former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who made his debut for the Royals but thereafter went on to ply his trade for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Warne went down the memory lane and narrated an incident where when Kaif had some issues with the room during their checkup at the hotel. Warne wrote about the same in his autobiography ‘No Spin’ as per reports in Deccan Chronicle. He also put forth the differences in the sporting cultures of Indian and Australian cricketers.

Here are some excerpts from the book

Warne writes, “It was Mohammed Kaif, who, unknowingly, brought our attention to something that needed fixing straightaway. When we checked into the hotel as Rajasthan Royals group, everyone got their room key and disappeared.

“Minutes later, while I was chatting with the owners in reception, I noticed Kaif go to the front desk and say, “I am Kaif.”

“Yes,” said the receptionist, “How can we help?”

“I think they know, who you are, mate, what do you mean? What are you looking for?” Warne asked.

“I have got a little room like everyone else,” Kaif said.

“I said “Right ok. Do you want to upgrade yourself or something?”

“Yes, I am Kaif,” he repeated.

“I am a senior, an Indian international player, so I get a bigger room,”

“Without trying to be funny, mate, everyone gets the same room. I am the only one with a big room because I have to meet with people.”

“Oh.” And off he (Kaif) walked.

Warne then wrote: “We realised that the senior Indians expected preferential treatment and youngsters were like, you know, ‘pick my bag!’. So I figured that I had to gain the respect of the whole squad of 50 by quickly laying down exactly the same ground rules for everyone.

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