A fitter, fresher Shane Warne speaks to TOI about Rajasthan Royals' months of turmoil and how he's now raring to prove a point again. How long has it been that you've rolled your arm on a cricket field?
The longest stretch that I spent without bowling a single delivery was between IPL 2 and 3. I didn't bowl at all during that time and I came straight into the tournament like that last year. This time, I've been rolling my arm over and have been in the right kind of rhythm. It has been about creating a fine balance between doing the right thing and not overdoing it, which is what I've tried to follow. This year, I'm a lot better prepared and more focused.
After all that Rajasthan Royals went through, a fit Shane Warne raring to go is the best thing they deserve...
Rajasthan Royals have taken a lot of my time and I've been very seriously involved with the team for the last three years. Last year, many things happened and credit goes to everybody, including the BCCI, the franchise and all associated with IPL to have helped in sorting things out so that we go ahead with the tournament. We've got a bit to prove this year to everybody that the first year wasn't just a flash in the pan. In fact I thought we did well in IPL 2 and 3 also and it was just a game or two that made the eventual difference.
How do you look back at what happened in the last six months?
The one thing that never ceases to amaze me about India and Indian cricket is the politics that goes on here. The last six months had been a very rough patch for Royals and finally when the go-ahead for the tournament came, finalising teams, budgets, retaining the players, getting sponsors - these weren't very easy things to get done with. I still don't get the whole idea behind terminating a team and for what reasons? But I'm thankful that Royals are there and heading into the tournament well prepared. As far as politics go, I'm not exactly sure why they wanted Royals out. Because of Lalit's brother-in-law or something? (shrugs)
Your views on player retention and fresh auctions?
If you ask me, there shouldn't have been any retention at all. At the most, teams should have been allowed to identify a captain who they could retain and then move on and buy all the rest of the players afresh. Consistency among teams would've remained. I also feel the $9m salary cap that was in place should've been more transparent, unlike what I kept hearing about teams handing players the money from under the table. Why? Why couldn't it be as simple as the highest bidder taking that cricketer home and forming his team? There was just too much wrong happening.
How would you describe your new team?
Jacob Oram has joined us. We have the likes of Ross Taylor, Rahul Dravid, Shane Watson, Johan Botha, myself and a lot of young promising cricketers who make the team look good. Do you know that whenever we (Royals) have scored 143 or more in IPL, we've never lost? We've always had that underdog tag attached to us which has worked well for us. Let the other teams be in focus and under pressure. We're happy doing what we do. We like to promote youth and that's what we'll be focusing on.
Did you get fan mail when Royals were dumped?
The population of the state of Rajasthan is some four times more than Australia and don't know how many times more than England. I got a lot of fan mails, tweets and they seriously wanted to know what the status of the team was. I can definitely say we got a lot of backing and that's makes the comeback all the more special.
Darren Berry is not with Royals. Does that upset the plans?
Darren Berry and myself had been planning a lot but he decided to switch over to South Australia and that's unfortunate. But Jeremy Snape has been around and he's been a very calming influence. Yusuf Pathan is also not with us and that's a big loss. I know his heart is still with Royals. But we, as a team, have got to move on.
You've been all over the place: columns, TV, Twitter. Are you conscious of the fact that what you say or write is now being followed very closely?
I've always talked very freely about the game and issues related to it. To me, cricket has never been about money. I've spent 24 years in the game now and I still feel I have a lot to offer, especially where bowling is concerned. I'm glad I'm getting to do it all and I've been enjoying every bit of it.
You look fitter than ever. Has there been any extra effort on that front?
Through January, February and March, I was training very seriously and had started bowling. Actually, let's say since Christmas, I've been back on the field. I enjoy yoga that keeps me fit, well balanced and calm. I'm not getting any younger. In fact I'll be turning 42 soon. I spend a lot of time with my three children, 14, 12 and 10 years of age, and that gives me extreme happiness. It's a mix of all these things that I'm still carrying on.
The pressure factor during India's World Cup campaign...
Pressure is something that is created because of expectations, because things are expected from a team, from an individual. Sachin Tendulkar is a great example of that. He was number one in my list of top 100 cricketers and that wasn't just because he's pure class and a great friend. He's handled the pressure so well every time he's walked out to bat and has been playing international cricket for 22 years. That's a great feat.
You were quoted as being interested in Team India's coaching job?
I never said I wanted to coach India. What I said was that Gary Kirsten, while he was there, did a great job and whoever comes in his place will have a fantastic opportunity to build on what Kirsten is leaving behind. I've been very badly misquoted. It is like one of those things about me and Sachin that went on for years. Let me put this on record once again that I never had nightmares thinking about Sachin. I still don't know where that came from. We've clashed a few times, I've been successful at times and he maybe more than me. But that's all there is to it.
MS Dhoni's captaincy...
He is a very good captain. He has a calm mind and that in turn has a very good influence on the team. He's still very young and to have that kind of control is very impressive. He's one of the best captains in the world today.
What has kept you busy all these days...
I've slimmed down a bit and feel very fit at the moment. I'm feeling very fresh coming into the tournament and enjoying myself. It's always great to come back and play for Rajasthan Royals, something I've done for three years now. It's time to get into that mode again. It has been a very busy last few months for me. The summer kept me tied up with the Ashes, then there was my own television show in which I was completely involved. There have been trips to the US for poker and other things, to UK for some personal things, the World Cup followed and now it's the IPL.
Any plans other than cricket?
Time management has been the key for me all throughout. I write, do television shows, I'm launching my own line of vests and underwears called 'Spinners' in India later this month which has been designed by my son. I'm a full-time investor too ... These are things that have kept me very preoccupied.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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