Shane Warne at Rajasthan Royals: A look at his stats, numbers and records

Shane Warne was feared by oppositions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) just like he was by any team throughout his 16-year-long international career.

The Australian leg-spinner not only guided Rajasthan Royals to the IPL 2008 title but also boasts illustrious numbers in his four seasons with the team, often leading from the front with stellar performances.

Here’s a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the legend’s campaigns as a Royal.

Shane Warne in IPL 2008

Captaining a young squad with upcoming talents like Ravindra Jadeja and Munaf Patel, Shane Warne led the team with aplomb.

After losing the first match to Delhi Daredevils, Warne led the Royals’ resurgence with three wickets against Kings XI Punjab to kickstart the team’s climb to the top of the standings. Warne’s wily bowling restricted the high-flying KXIP to 166/8 before the Royals chased down the target in 18.1 overs.

Warne’s abilities with the bat were also on full display in the inaugural IPL season when he helped the Royals chase 214 against Deccan Chargers with an unbeaten 22 off just nine balls.

After another three-fer against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Warne’s captaincy led Rajasthan Royals to the final of IPL 2008.

MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings set up a target of 164 in the title clash that went down to the wire. With one run needed off the last ball, Royals’ star bowler Sohail Tanvir and skipper Warner were at the crease. Tanvir pulled the last delivery to mid-on and Warne completed the run to win the first-ever IPL trophy.

Warne ended as the second-highest wicket-taker of IPL 2008 with 19 wickets. Sohail Tanvir finished on top with 22 scalps.

Shane Warne in IPL 2009

The 2009 edition of the IPL moved to South Africa but one thing remained the same - Shane Warne’s magic with the ball.

The King of Spin, Warne began the new season with two scalps against RCB, including the wicket of Virat Kohli. The skipper then took two more wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Aussie star also shone with the blade against KXIP courtesy of an unbeaten and gritty 34 off 33.

Warne’s best show of the campaign came against Mumbai Indians as he romped through the MI middle order with prized wickets of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Ajinkya Rahane.

He ended IPL 2009 with 14 wickets at an economy of 7.30.

Shane Warne in IPL 2010

Shane Warne took 11 wickets in the third IPL season, including a four-wicket haul which were his best figures in the competition.

Defending 160, the Deccan Chargers were cruising towards victory at 112/4 in 14 overs. That is when Shane Warne bowled a spell for the ages.

First, Warne sent back Anirudh Singh with a vintage leg spin that has flummoxed the greatest hitters in the world.

Then Dwayne Smith fell prey to a flighted leg break, followed by another loopy delivery to dismiss Azhar Bilakhia. Warne reached his career-best T20 figures of 4/21 after scalping Ryan Harris.

The Warne spectacle helped Rajasthan Royals win by two runs and keep intact their then-record of always defending 150-plus scores.

Shane Warne in IPL 2011

Warne’s final season with Rajasthan Royals began on a bright note with the skipper picking up four wickets in the first two matches.

But his best performance during the season came against Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

Warne racked the prized wickets of Ravindra Jadeja, Brad Hodge and Parthiv Patel to confine the Tuskers to 109 all-out. He ended with 3/16 as the Royals chased the score in 14.1 overs.

The Australian superstar kept picking up wickets regularly throughout the season, ending with 13 scalps in 13 matches at an economy of 6.31.

Warne’s final match saw him trap Rohit Sharma with a carefully engineered spinning delivery, which Sharma completely missed and was stumped by the keeper.

Shane Warne at Rajasthan Royals: Achievements

Shane Warne was the only non-Indian full-time captain in the inaugural IPL season of 2008.
Warne was the second-highest wicket-taker in 2008 with 19 wickets.
Warne’s best bowling performance came against Deccan Chargers in IPL 2010 when he picked up four wickets for 21 runs.