Winning IPL was like icing on the cake for Shane Warne, he was already India's favourite: Sachin Tendulkar

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has explained why winning the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 was the 'icing on the cake' for his long-term cricketing rival Shane Warne. Warne had led the Rajasthan Royals to their first and only IPL triumph. The Royals had defeated the current title-holders Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash of the very first edition of the marquee tournament.

Not many of them believed that the Rajasthan Royals would be able to get the job done but a spirited bunch of players under the leadership of the seasoned leggie did the unthinkable.

“Shane managed the team and strategized rather well. Winning the IPL was like icing on the cake for him because he was already a favorite in the eyes of the Indian fans", said Sachin Tendulkar while speaking in the documentary on his life – ‘Shane.’

Warne led the former champions in four seasons from 2008-2011. However, after the best performance in the inaugural edition, the team failed to clear the league stages in the next three seasons. The 1999 World Cup winner is currently associated with the Rajasthan Royals as the Brand Ambassador and mentor.

During the same interaction, Shane Warne also revealed how he motivated his players after he saw them crying in the dressing room having lost a game.

“No one gave us a chance, we had young kids who were 17-18 years of age who had played very little cricket; the first game we were hammered by Delhi Daredevils, and Virender Sehwag smashed us all around,” said Shane Warne.

“I walk into the dressing room and there are players crying. I said, ‘Boys, have I missed something? Has someone died? We lost a cricket game, we still have 13 more games to go,’” the veteran leggie added.

Coming back to the 2008 IPL final, Rajasthan Royals restricted CSK to 163/5 from their 20 overs courtesy of all-rounder Yusuf Pathan's three-wicket haul. Pathan also starred with the bat, scoring a quickfire 39-ball 56. The lower-order batters Shane Warne and Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir took matters in their hands as the Royals got past the line to clinch a last-ball thriller.