Mohammad Kaif Praises Shane Warne's Dynamic Leadership While Remembering Rajasthan Royals' 2008 IPL Campaign

Kaif recalled that Warne was the first skipper to envisage and implement the concept of 'horses for courses' and field the playing XI according to the pitch.

Shane Warne and Virat Kohli In IPL (Image Getty)

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif on Monday showered praise on his former Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne, saying that the Australian spin wizard was way ahead of his time as he came out with some landmark concepts during his captaincy stint with the IPL franchise. Kaif recalled that Warne was the first skipper to envisage and implement the concept of 'horses for courses' and field the playing XI according to the pitch. Kaif threw some intresting insights about the succesful title winning season of the Rajasthan Royals during the 2008 edition of the IPL, while doing an Instagram live session with all-rounder Yusuf Pathan. "Shane Warne was ahead of his time. He started the concept of 'horses for courses' during IPL 2008. Warne got the best out of everyone. He had the quality of being flexible," Kaif told Pathan during the interaction. "We had a lot of changes on our side. There was no batting position fixed for any player. Warne told me to talk to the Indian guys, who were a little weak in English. I did not take IPL 2008 very seriously as not many of us had played the format, but when we started winning, I thought that this product would go a long way as the families started enjoying the tournament," he added. During the interaction, Kaif also said that he believed that Warne was the Player of the Tournament in IPL 2008 for the way he led and handled the players during Rajasthan Royals's brilliant campaign. Warne was the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and the side had gone on to win the inaugural edition of the tournament. Royals had lost the first match of the tournament against Delhi Daredevils, but the side had a remarkable turn around to win the tournament. "I remember Warne took our team meeting. He was very positive. He told it does not matter that we lost in the first match, but he emphasised the need for showing team-spirit and giving our best. He motivated all of us by giving a rousing speech and then he went on to say that we will go on to win the tournament. Every skipper in the world should look to learn from him," said Pathan during the interaction. "Warne told us that the management will back every player. We went on to win our matches from thereon. Every player got the backing and appreciation after every match. We then made it to the finals. Whenever I go to Rajasthan, I feel like I have gone back to the time in 2008," he added.