As news of Shane Warne’s death broke across the globe, Gurnam Singh received a phone call from a relative in India to confirm if it was true.
The Sydney-based ambassador for Cricket Australia said he felt “unbelievably heartbroken” when he began reading news headlines.
Warne, 52, was found unresponsive in a villa in Koh Samui, Thailand, and could not be revived after being taken to the Thai International Hospital.
News of his death has sparked an outpouring of emotion from across the world and from all quarters, including politics, the entertainment industry and the sporting community.
Mr Singh said he met the legendary legspinner a number of times in his capacities with Cricket Australia and as the founder of the Australian-Indian Sports Educational & Cultural Society (AISECS) and the Swami Army fan group.
“He was my childhood hero and we shared many times together,” he told SBS News, adding that his fondest memory was sharing a Qantas flight with Warne in 2015.
“He signed his boarding pass for me. That is a wonderful memory.
“[His death] is so sad, not only for cricket in Australia but cricket around the world. I am in shock that he is not with us.”
The boarding pass signed by Shane Warne for Gurnam Singh. Credit: Gurnam Singh.
Warne is considered among the sport's greats and regarded by pundits as the second-finest cricketer Australia has ever produced after Sir Donald Bradman.
He remains Australia's leading wicket-taker and sits second behind Muttiah Muralitharan globally with 708 scalps in 145 Tests.
Despite the statistics on the field, Mr Singh believes it was his relationship and sporting rivalry with Indian great Sachin Tendulkar that worked as a conduit in bilateral relations between the two countries.
“It's always Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar, that is the true combination.”
Shane Warne and Gurnam Singh. Credit: Gurnam Singh
In 2008 at the age of 37, a semi-retired Warne led the Rajasthan Royals to victory in the first edition of the Indian Premier League.
Former Royals player Dishant Yagnik, who debut in the IPL under Warne's captaincy, said his former mentor will be remembered for the approach to the game.
Shane Warne and Dishant Yagnik playing for the Rajasthan Royals.
"Once he crossed the rope and came into the ground, you could see a different Shane Warne altogether. The commitment towards the game, the fighting spirit, the 'win from anywhere' situation and the never say die attitude, these types of words belong to Shane Warne only."
Indian cricketer Dinesh Salunkhe, who also played under Warne at the Royals, said he was "very close" to the Australian during the period and after.
"He was my hero and I chose leg-spin bowling because of him only," he said from Mumbai.
"I consider myself lucky to have played under his guidance. I am very shattered to know the sad news."
Salunkhe remembers the final match of the 2008 season where Rajasthan required 25 runs from 18 balls to win.
"[Warne] had a plan in his mind and eventually he won the match and tournament for us," he said.
Salunkhe said he remained in contact with Warne through WhatsApp.
Dinesh Salunkhe with Shane Warne at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi in June 2008. Credit: Hindustan Times/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Chair of Multicultural NSW and former NSW Cricket board president Dr Harry Harinath said he will remember Warne as "one of the most fascinating sportspeople on the planet".
"You might not even know cricket, or know that Shane Warne was a champion cricketer, but you knew who he was."
Additional reporting by Vatsal Patel
