India
captain Virat Kohli paid an emotional tribute to legendary leg-spinner Shane
Warne after the Australian great passed away at the age of 52 on Friday. Warne
died of a suspected heart attack while on holiday on an island in Thailand.
Before the second day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka resumes,
Kohli, in his tribute, said that life is “unpredictable and fickle.”

Also Read: Shane Warne, Australia cricket legend, dies of suspected heart attack at 52

“We
got the sad news last night about the demise of Shane Warne. (It was) out of
nowhere, to be honest. We carry on doing what we do in life and we think
everything is all about what we are involved in; in the present moment, all our
troubles and things going wrong and things we look forward to. But we realize
pretty quickly that life is so unpredictable and fickle,” Kohli said in a video
posted by the BCCI on their social media platforms.

Also Read: Shane Warne lived more in his life than most would do in 20: Glenn McGrath

“We
just need to be grateful for all the moments we are alive. Passing at the age
of 52 is something totally unexpected. He went far too early. I stand here with
disbelief and shock because I got to know him off the field as well. I
understood the persona and charisma he brought to every conversation that he
was a part of. From that, I could understand what he brought on the field as
well. He was just an honest man up front,” Kohli said.

‘Greatest
spinner of all time’

Kohli
also rated Warne as the “greatest spinner of all time,” while paying his
tribute to the spinner’s family and friends.

Also Read: Shane Warne: 5 magnificent records held by Australian legend

“(I
am) Just very grateful to have known him. For me, (he is) the greatest spinner
to ever play the game. He will surely be missed. I hope we can put things in
the right perspective in life, knowing how unpredictable things are, and just
be grateful for all these moments that god has blessed us with to just be alive
and healthy. My deepest condolences to his family, his closed ones and his
children, his parents. I know how difficult this moment would be. They have all
our support and they are in our thoughts. God bless his soul,” Kohli said.

Also Read: Shane Warne’s family offered state funeral as Australia wakes up to sad news

Warne,
widely considered to have brought a revolution in leg-spin bowling, ended his
blistering international career with 708 wickets to his name in 145 Tests.