IPL 2020: Be patient, iconic slow bowler tells youngsters in fast-paced cricket

Unlike in the early 1990s when Shane Warne made his international debut, youngsters are now judged on their ability to deliver instant success on the biggest of stages.

In the fast-paced world of the 21st century, it’s criminal to be a slow starter.

If the Riyan Parags and the Priyam Gargs fail more than once to make a telling contribution in the last four overs of a nail-biting T20 chase, they could be crucified.

But back in 1992 when nobody had envisioned cricket with T20s, Warne had no such issues as the world was a kinder place that offered hope to kids that didn’t make flying starts.

Before going on to become the greatest slow bowler the world has ever seen, Warne had a inauspicious start to his Test career.

The leg-spinner arrived for a series in Sri Lanka with a bowling average of 228 and turned the fortunes by helping Australia win a Test match from a hopeless position with one magical spell. While Warne had a captain in Allan Border who backed him to the hilt, the Australian icon admitted that youngsters today face a much more difficult challenge if they fail to grab an early chance.

At the Rajasthan Royals’ private documentary screening in Dubai on Sunday night, Warne urged the talented young players to learn from the failures as they chase their biggest dreams.

“Look, it’s about patience. But I know everyone wants things instantly these days, no matter what that is. Whether we order some food online, if it takes 15 minutes, we say ‘hurry up’. So everything is in an instant, everyone is in a hurry, every one is busy. Patience is something that we have lost a little bit,” said Warne when asked by Khaleej Times about the tips he would give to rising stars who might need more time to bloom.

“When you go back to 30 years ago when I was starting, things were different. But the young players today, if they don’t succeed, it’s about the attitude, it’s about never giving up,” he said.

The Rajasthan Royals mentor and brand ambassador said it could also be a blessing in disguise if these youngsters fail at their first attempt in an event like the IPL.

“I think it’s really important that if you don’t do too well too early, if you are coming into the IPL, and you smashed the first couple of games, you get 60 off 30 balls, you take a few wickets, then you think ‘it’s not as hard as I thought’. And then you don’t do well, and you have a bit of a form slump, you have got nothing to fall back on,” he said.

“But if you struggle at the start, you appreciate how difficult it is, so it inspires you to work harder and harder and become better and get more knowledge. You make better decisions in crunch times. So if you do that, I think you have a better longevity in the game,” said Warne. the captain of that 2008 Rajasthan Royals team that won the 2008 IPL title despite losing their first game in that tournament.

“So for the young players, my advice will be: ‘don’t worry about statistics. They will look after themselves if you do the right thing. Just perform on the field and everything else will take care of itself.”

And the virtue of patience, according to Warne, will eventually pay off even in the tough world of franchise cricket.

“I know it’s hard because it’s such a cut-throat business now, it’s very difficult, so you got to be in the right space to grab your opportunity,” he said.

“Sometimes you only get one or two opportunities. You have to be prepared to take those opportunities. But be patient because lot of people say ‘you are only as good as your last game’.

“But you are actually as good as your next game because the next game could be the best game you have ever played. So be patient!”

rituraj@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai