(Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)
Over the two editions of IPL, I have greatly admired Shane Warne the Captain. His captaincy has been wonderfully spontaneous, aggressive and articulate. His ability to assess situations and think ahead of the game has put him in a league apart.
The fact that he has tasted tremendous success with a bunch of virtual unknown Indian cricketers speaks volumes of his ability to bring out the best in his men.
That Munaf Patel and Yusuf Pathan have been able to play at a higher level under him than at any time previous while playing for India is a testament to Warne. Ravindra Jadeja, too, has blossomed.
In fact, any one and every one under Warne has been able to express himself. Shane’s now also a pro Poker player and gambling is his thing. Perhaps that is why such exotic nicknames like Hollywood, Suicide, Showbags!
It is difficult to comprehend how such a self-confident cricketer is profoundly insecure off the pitch. He is such a typical Aussie with an in-your-face kind of personality. He plays to win and enjoys being the leader of the pack. He enjoys limelight but is susceptible to its pitfalls. Such a paradox!
Many called him Australia’s "Greatest Captain That Never Was" even before he made his name as a skipper in India with Hampshire and Rajasthan Royals. Even Warne counts not captaining Australia as one of his career regrets. He writes in his autobiography:
"I have given my heart and soul to Australian cricket and like to think I’ve earned the respect of the ACB. I have helped to put a few backsides on seats and made spin bowling more interesting.
"I have played in an aggressive, animated, emotional way which reflects the pride I take in representing my country. That should have counted for something, I would have thought."
Warne’s charms and special talents kept him in good stead even during school. He went to Mentone Grammar in Melbourne and was the leader of its Second XI and was destined to take over the reins of the First XI as well.
But his school demanded good passes in at least four subjects so as to pass the High School Certificate (HSC) and to be eligible for sixth grade.
Warne failed the test. It was deemed that he was never interested enough in his studies, and in order to keep him in line to take over their First XI, the school had to fabricate exceptions in order to make Warne eligible for sixth grade.
Warne went to the sixth grade, and went on to lead Mentone’s First XI to victory. In fact the Warne-led Mentone First XI remained unbeaten in the competition. The school’s 1987 yearbook states:
"Shane Warne’s captaincy was to be one of the major reasons for our successful season. He believed there was only one way to play the game and that was to attack. He led by example and was able to get the best out of the team. He was justly rewarded with the captaincy of AGS First XI."
It’s strange that someone with his track record as a captain in school cricket, grade cricket and later for Victoria never went on to captain Australia in Tests.
He was vice-captain for quite a bit and even captained Australia in One Day games when the regular captain was unavailable.
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