Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne's sudden demise due to suspected heart attack today has left the sports fraternity shocked and in disbelief. The 52-year-old was “found unresponsive” in his villa in Thailand and “despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived”.
The shocking news came on a day when the world was mourning the death of another Aussie legend Rod Marsh. In fact, Warne himself had tweeted his tribute to Marsh earlier in the day.
Several sportspersons, cutting across disciplines, took to social media to express their disbelief, shock and memories associated with Warne. From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, from Sunil Chhetri to P.R. Sreejesh, people from all walks of life tweeted their tribute to the spin legend.
“Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball,” Kohli tweeted.
India cricket captain Sharma, too, took to Twitter express his shock. “I’m truly lost for words here, this is extremely sad. An absolute legend and champion of our game has left us. RIP Shane Warne….still can’t believe it.”
Indian football legend Chhetri tweeted, “Shocked beyond words on hearing about the passing of Shane Warne. Grew up watching and idolising him for the way he played the game. What a loss....”
“A man who made our childhood special is no more. Rest in Peace, Legend.
#ShaneWarne💐💐 #cricket #rip,” tweeted former Indian hockey skipper and Olympian Sreejesh.
The BCCI tweeted, “The global cricketing community is poorer today with the passing away of Australian great Shane Warne. The BCCI mourns the loss of the champion cricketer who enriched the game with his craft.”
Former cricket greats like Vivian Richards, Waqar Younis, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, too, took to Twitter to express their disbelief.
“Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... Rest In Peace,
@ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket.” Richards tweeted.
“Shane Warne no more.. I’m Shocked and Shattered.Simply can't believe I’m hearing this.Very very sad day for our cricket community.The biggest superstar of my generation gone.Goodbye Legend @ShaneWarne #RIP Condolences to the family and friends,” wrote Younis.
“It’s a sad day for world cricket. First the news of Rodney Marsh & now Shane Warne 💔 Heartbreaking! I have fond memories of playing with Warne. He was the king of spin & a legend of the game who’s gone way before his time. RIP. You will be missed 🙏🏻 my condolences to his family,” Yuvraj wrote.
“Nooooooooooooooo can’t believe you are no more @ShaneWarne 🙏🙏 😢😢😢 RIP my HERO .. don’t wanna believe this .. totally shattered,” Singh tweeted.
