Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar
expressed grief and shock at the passing of Australia’s greatest leg-spinner,
Shane Warne, on Friday at the age of 52.
Also Read: Shane Warne, Australia cricket legend, dies of suspected heart attack at 52
“Shocked, stunned & miserable…,” wrote
Tendulkar on Twitter while sharing an old photograph of the duo in Test whites.
“Will miss you Warnie. There was never a
dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on
field duels & off field banter. You always had a special place for India
& Indians had a special place for you.
Also Read: Shane Warne vs Sachin Tendulkar: Cricketing rivalry at its finest
“Gone too young,” he added.
Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar shared
good bonding even after retiring from international cricket. Even after being
battered mercilessly by the master blaster on Australia’s tour of India in the
late 1990s and famously in a one-day tournament in Sharjah, Dubai in 1998, the
duo has enjoyed a good camaraderie.
Also Read: Shane Warne: The man who breathed life into dying art of leg-spin
In fact, Warne had once said that he would
want Tendulkar to bat for his life. “If
I want someone to bat for my life day in, day out, I would send Tendulkar, he
was a class act,” Warne told NDTV.”
In 24 hours, this is the second devastating
news for the Australian cricketing fraternity with fellow great, Rod Marsh,
dying on Friday having suffered a major heart attack last week.
Earlier on Friday, Warne had condoled the demise of Australian great Rodney Marsh in a tweet this morning.
Also Read: When Shane Warne was banned for a year
“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has
passed. He was a legend of our great game & inspiration to so many young
boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially
to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros
& the family. RIP mate,” he had posted.
Fox Sports television, which employed Warne
as a commentator, quoted a family statement as saying he died of a suspected
heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand.
Also Read: Shane Warne dies at 52, tributes pour in
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa
and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the
statement said. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide
further details in due course.”