Follow UsFormer Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has urged Rajasthan Royals (RR) to smash the hell out of Gujarat Titans (GT) for Shane Warne as the two teams are all set to clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 final in Ahmedabad later today (May 29).
Warne led RR to their maiden title in the inaugural edition in 2008 and this is the first time they have made the final since. He passed away on March 4 due to a suspected heart attack.
"There was a dull moment in IPL. After that, there was fierce competition. One team came back into the final after 14 years. Must remember Shane Warne. Bhajji's favourite, my favourite, our dear friend. Andrew Symonds, we dearly miss him," Ahktar said in an interview to Sportskeeda Cricket.
"In memory of Shane Warne, Rajasthan go out there and smash the hell out of Gujarat for Shane Warne."
Harbhajan Singh who was also present in the discussion heaped praise on Yuzvendra Chahal, who has picked up 26 wickets from 16 matches in the tournament. "He is Jos Buttler in the bowling department He has won matches on his own. He is a single bowler in the IPL, who is bowling like a spinner," the former off-spinner said.
"He is bowling slow, enticing the batters to go after him but coming out of the crease. His googly has also been effective. He is playing with the batsman's mind. he has been a champion in chess too but in this game, he has outdone a game of chess too."
"He has done well against left-handers too. Be it any ground, small or large, it does not really matter to him.
"He has that confidence. he is bowling like a spinner. There are many other spinners in this IPL, but they just come running and bowl fast. They don't spin the ball. Spinners are supposed to spin the ball that's where you will get used."