GT vs RR: Irfan Pathan Recalls Shane Warne’s Tactics As Rajasthan Royals Captain In 2008

Rajasthan Royals will take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 final on May 29 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The Royals have made an IPL final after 14 years since they won the inaugural IPL title in 2008. For Gujarat Titans, they made the final in their debut year in the league. The franchise had already said that this season was a tribute to Shane Warne who passed away just before the IPL season started.

All the Rajasthan Royals players are very motivated to win the title this year for the late Shane Warne who passed away earlier this year. He was the first-ever Rajasthan Royals captain and is remembered around the world for the way he took them to the finals in the maiden IPL season.

Mohammad Kaif and Shane Warne during IPL 2008. Photo- BCCI

Irfan Pathan who also played the 2008 season for Kings XI Punjab remembered Warne on this occasion and gave a few insights on his captaincy. Talking to Star Sports, he shared a few anecdotes from Warne’s first season in the IPL.

Shane Warne Was Ahead Of His Time As Captain: Irfan Pathan

“Rajasthan Royals were the only team that came to the stadium at around 7:25 PM. The matches were supposed to start at 8 PM! He was way ahead of his time. He knew that for the first time, there’s this tournament where a side is playing 14 matches. He thought, ‘players will get tired because it’s summer season and I won’t let that happen. I will conserve their energy’,” Pathan recalled.

The former Indian all-rounder further said that Warne will be always remembered for winning the first-ever IPL title as captain for Rajasthan Royals.

“Our team (Punjab) used to arrive at the ground at 6 PM! We used to do extra practice! We still reached the semi-finals, so it wasn’t that bad, but Shane Warne had a different approach. He led them to a win and that will always be remembered. Whenever we talk about the IPL, we will remember him,” said Pathan.

The Royals finished the league stage as the second-placed team on the points table. In the playoffs, they lost the first qualifier to Gujarat Titans and they won the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to play the final against the Titans.

Also Read: GT vs RR: Rajasthan Royals’ Predicted Playing XI Against Gujarat Titans IPL 2022 Final

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