IPL 2018: Australian spin legend Shane Warne returns to Rajasthan Royals as team mentor

New Delhi: Australian spin great Shane Warne on Tuesday returned to Rajasthan Royals as team mentor, 10 years after he famously led the side to the IPL title in the inaugural edition. Warne was the captain-cum-coach of the side which exceeded expectations by winning the trophy in 2008. Royals, who will be playing the IPL this season after serving a two-year ban, announced the ‘homecoming’ of the 48-year-old. [caption id=“attachment_117934” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] AFP Photo[/caption] “I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey. I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the franchise and the fans,” said Warne. We have a strong, young and energetic bunch of boys and I am looking forward to work with them," he added. The Australian led the Royals for three seasons from 2008 to 2011, during which he played 52 games and picked 56 wickets. Warne will be joined by another Royals old hand in former Mumbai batsman Zubin Bharucha as Head of Cricket. Warne and Bharucha’s association at the Royals goes back to 2008. As part of Royals think-tank, the two forged a solid partnership and are looking forward to working with each other again. Royals co-owner Manoj Badale was thrilled at Warne’s return. “He is a legend of the game and what he has achieved in Rajasthan Royals is unmatchable,” said Badale. “Bringing back Shane Warne is also a way of giving back to our fans who have stood by us in trying times. As we are looking to build a strong team that can be in contention for the title, we believe Warne is the right person to mentor the Rajasthan Royals.” Contrary to their thrifty approach previously, Royals spent big in the recent IPL auction, buying troubled England all-rounder Ben Stokes for a whopping Rs 12.5 crore and India pacer Jaydev Unadkat for Rs 11.5 crore. Australian captain Steve Smith and India batsman Ajinkya Rahane are the other big names in the team.