Picture Credit: Twitter
Melbourne Cricket Ground is usually the place for some high-quality cricket action. However, on Wednesday all roads seemingly led to the MCG not for a cricket match but as everyone wanted to bid their final goodbye to one of the game's greatest superstars Shane Warne.
The legendary leg-spinner tragically passed away due to a suspected heart attack on March 4. And on Wednesday, a memorial service has been organised at the MCG, the place which was the venue for several of Warne's greatest achievements. A private funeral was earlier held which was attended by several celebrities including former England captain Michael Vaughan.
On the occasion of the state funeral service, Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath and Ian Botham have all paid their tributes to Warne in a touching video that has surfaced on social media.
Check out the video here:
Tendulkar earlier said that he had last met Warne in London after the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
"After the last IPL, I went to England to spend some time in London where we got in touch with each other and also planned a round of Golf. It was fun. When Shane was around, there was not a dull moment. He was full of entertainment and jokes and those mini battles that we had, I realise it was not just the spin but also the swing that came naturally to him," said Tendulkar in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
"He was a good golfer. I hate saying he was because we have to accept what has happened. For us, he will continue to live in our hearts," he added.
"I enjoyed physically meeting him in London but even post that, I remember my last message to him was when he met with a bike accident. I said hope you are okay, everything is fine? He said no I just took my bike out for a spin and it skidded and I am injured but I should be fine," he recalled.
"So my response to that was - you could spin the ball the way you wanted to but taking out your bike for a spin isn't a good idea, my friend. And he responded by saying he was on pain killers for 4-5 days and that he should be okay," he further said.
Tendulkar is currently associated with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022.