WATCH: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma pay tribute to Shane Warne

Two of India’s finest cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma expressed their shock and disappointment over the untimely passing of Shane Warne, among cricket’s greatest-ever spinners, on Friday (March 4). 

Kohli stood in “disbelief” and “shock” as he spoke with a heavy heart ahead of Day 2 of the first India-Sri Lanka Test in Mohali, highlighting Warne’s greatness and larger than life persona even post his retirement. 

“Got the sad news last night about the demise of Shane Warne”, Kohli said in a video posted over the official BCCI Twitter handle. “(It has come) out of nowhere, to be honest.” Kohli said it’s a lesson for us that “life is fickle and unpredictable”. 

WATCH: Fans Remember Shane Warne’s Ball Of The Century As He Passes Away

“Life is fickle and unpredictable. I stand here in disbelief and shock.”@imVkohli pays his tributes to Shane Warne. pic.twitter.com/jwN1qYRDxj

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 5, 2022

Rohit Sharma “absolutely devasted” to hear of Shane Warne’s passing

Shane Warne passed away in Thailand after a suspected heart attack.

In his homage, Rohit mentioned he feels “absolutely devasted” to hear of Shane Warne’s untimely demise, calling it a “huge, huge loss” for world cricket as the legendary figure still had much to offer back to the sport. 

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“We all do understand his contribution to the cricketing world. He inspired a whole new generation of cricketers,” Rohit said in his tribute to the man, who had joined commentary and broadcasting work after his illustrious 15-year career in sport. 

“Absolutely devastated to hear the news of Shane Warne passing away. It’s a huge huge loss in our cricketing world. Condolences to his family. His three children and the loved ones.”

Captain @ImRo45 pays tribute to Shane Warne. pic.twitter.com/LrRR7kJeU5

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 5, 2022

Shane Warne is learnt to have died of a suspected heart attack on Friday evening, with Reuters reporting info from the Thailand police that the great cricketer was found unconscious in a private villa and despite repeated CPRs being conducted on him, he could not be revived. 

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course,” Warne’s manager Michael Cohen confirmed in a statement. 

Warne was staying in this villa with three other friends, one of whom found him unconscious when he went up to enquire about him for the dinner. 

“The friend did CPR on him and called an ambulance,” a Thailand policeman was quoted saying by Reuters over a phone call. “An emergency response unit then arrived and did another CPR for 10-20 minutes. Then an ambulance from the Thai International Hospital arrived and took him there. They did CPR for five minutes, and then he died.”