Shane Warne’s sudden and unforeseen demise has left the world stunned. This has not only affected cricket fans, and cricketers – past or present – but has had an impact on the thoughts of even the non-cricket watching world.
Social media has been flooded with uncountable mournings to Warne, the stories of his legend, on and off the field, describing the great cricketer and a great human being.
Arguably the greatest ever bowler, Warne died on Friday, gone-too-soon aged 52, while on a vacation in Thailand due to a suspected heart attack. His close friend and associate Andrew Neophitou, who was with him in Thailand, tried to revive him by giving a CPR but was unsuccessful and Warne breathed his last.
Soon after the news broke, the Victorian government announced on Saturday that The Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand, while Warne’s family will be offered a state funeral.
Among the millions stories around Warne, one of which has gone viral indicates the impact the iconic cricketer had that transcended the cricket field.
A Twitter user, Kosturi, Twitter handle: @55tension, told a heart-touching story. She revealed that her son was born on the night of the IPL 2008 final, when Shane Warne led the Rajasthan Royals to the title defeating Chennai Super Kings in the final. In awe of the legend, she then decided to name her son ‘Shane’.
“Shane Warne was the captain of RR when they won the 1st IPL. My son was born on finals day. i sat at night in the room with a little baby and cheered them on. We couldnt find a name for my son, so we called him Shane. The things we associate with those we never meet.”
Shane Warne was the captain of RR when they won the 1st IPL. My son was born on finals day. i sat at night in the room with a little baby and cheered them on. We couldnt find a name for my son, so we called him Shane. The things we associate with those we never meet. #RIPWarne
— Kosturi (@55tension) March 4, 2022
Shane Warne had made his debut against India in 1992, and went on to attain greatness in spin bowling, claiming 1001 international wickets – 293 in ODIs and 708 Test wickets – a tally only bettered by Sri Lanka’s Muralitharan who snared 1347 international dismissals. He won five Ashes series and the 1999 World Cup, playing a crucial role in all of them.
