Vinay Handa
Super Royals Ambassador, London
About Vinay: Passionate cricket fan from England supporting Rajasthan Royals since the inaugural IPL in 2008 when Shane Warne was captain.
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Shane Warne, known to the cricket world and beyond as 'Warney', was an Australian cricketer and the king of leg spin bowling. Famous for bowling that 'ball of the century' to Mike Gatting of England in 1993. In 2006 Warney became the first bowler ever to take 700 test wickets. He finished his international career taking 708 wickets over his test career.
Warney played for and captained my home county - Hampshire County in England from 2000 to 2007. A player that had x factor and a captain that had respect of his players and true tactical cricket genius. I grew up watching him play for Hampshire and for Australia. This inspiring time led to me then supporting Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. His leadership and performances led to help the Rajasthan Royals team lift the first IPL winners trophy. He captained the Rajasthan Royals for a further few IPL seasons.
A fascinating character on and off the field. I was fortunate to meet Warney in person at the Hampshire Captains Dinner at the Hampshire County Ground (now called Utilita Bowl) in 2018. I felt nervous as we approached to shake hands but immediately he was great to make me feel comfortable, then we had a good chat on cricket and he gave some valuable tips that I took away for my son who is a spin bowling all rounder in the Hampshire County Performance Pathway. It was a moment in time I will never forget being a Royals fan that I actually met and talked to him.
In 2019, Warney helped launch the first Rajasthan Royals Academy in Surrey, England alongside Sid Lahiri, Head of Academy Coaching at the Royals. Warney was a true brand Ambassador for the Royals.
It has been 2 years since the passing of Shane Warne and he is truly missed around the world.
Shane Warne. Forever the first Royal. No.23 Royals Jersey retired in his honour. Legend. Halla Bol.
