We did it for the people of Jaipur: Warne

Posted on Jun 02, 2008 at 00:57 | Updated Jun 02, 2008 at 08:54 Comment 2 CommentsEmail Email Print Print


Mumbai: He may be nicknamed Hollywood, but Shane Warne's Jaipur team's dream run culminating as the champions of the first edition of the IPL here on Sunday was a script straight out of a Bollywood potboiler.

A thrilling final-ball finish brought curtains to the revolution that it was, and both captains echoed their sentiments in unison, even though Warne's counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai outfit tasted a defeat.

"I'm getting too old for close finishes, but the script couldn't have been better. What better way to finish the first IPL tournament on the last ball," Warne said after his team, written off at the outset, overcame all odds to lift the trophy.

However, Warne chose to dedicate the moment to the people of Jaipur, who were left shattered after last month's serial blasts killed several hundred people in the city. "We did this for Jaipur," he said at the presentation ceremony.

The retired Australian great paid tribute to his team which lacked stars, especially domestic Indian cricketers who rose to the challenge and came up trumps.

"I'm proud of the young members of this team. Everyone rose up to the task and made it count. But the memories I will take back from this tourament will be a young Swapnil (Asnodkar) taking on the world's best, and likewise for Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan, who has been a revelation in this tournament," he said.

Warne ranked the tournament victory as his best in his 20-year first-class career.

The Jaipur captain also thanked India's cricket-loving public who tirelessly turned up for the IPL in large numbers and inspired the cricketers to give their best.

"Crowds all over India have been amazing. They made us play some good cricket throughout this tournament," he concluded.

Post a comment

Log in with CricketNext ID.

Log in with Facebook ID .

Ads by Google

  • India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI
  • India gear up for counter-punch
  • India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI
  • India vs West Indies, 1st ODI
  • Wounded India gear up for Windies
  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, World T20 final
  • Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2nd semi-final
  • Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st semi-final
  • India vs South Africa, ICC World T20
  • England vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs Ireland, ICC World T20
  • India vs England, ICC World T20
  • Ireland vs Sri Lanka, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs New Zealand, ICC World T20
  • South Africa vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • How Windies outshine India in Super Eights
  • World T20 Super Eights, India vs West Indies
  • Super Eights, England vs South Africa
  • India vs Ireland, ICC World T20
  • New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC World T20