Published 18:51 IST, November 7th 2018
Shane Warne reveals shutting down Mohammad Kaif for seeking preferential treatment during his stay at Rajasthan Royals in IPL
Mohammad Kaif had reportedly asked the staff to give him a bigger room, stating 'I am Kaif', before Shane Warne intervened and told him that everyone gets the same room
Former Australian legend Shane Warne, through his recent book 'No Spin', has revealed how he once shut former Indian cricketer and Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate Mohammad Kaif at a hotel reception when the duo were playing together in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The leg-spin great, who was the skipper of RR when the team won the inaugural tournament, has penned down in his book as to how he interfered when Kaif was demanding preferential treatment, and made the Indian player realize he was just like his other teammates.
In his book, Warne recalls the incident taking place at the hotel reception where the team was staying. Kaif had reportedly asked the staff to give him a bigger room, stating 'I am Kaif', before his then skipper intervened and told him that everyone gets the same room.
Here are the excerpts from his book:
“It was Mohammad Kaif, who, unknowingly, brought our attention to something that needed fixing straight away. When we checked into the hotel as Rajasthan Royals group, everyone got their room key and disappeared."
"Minutes later, while I was chatting with the owners in reception, I noticed Kaif go to the front desk and say, "I am Kaif."
"Yes," said the receptionist, "How can we help?"
"I am Kaif." I went over.
"Everything alright, mate?" I asked.
"Yes, I am Kaif."
"I think they know, who you are, mate, what do yo mean? What are you looking for?" Warne asked.
"I have got a little room like everyone else," Kaif said.
"I said "Right ok. Do you want to upgrade yourself or something?"
"Yes, I am Kaif," he repeated.
Warne then said that he "knew exactly what he (Kaif) wanted! "I am a senior, an Indian international player, so I get a bigger room," he meant.
Warne said: "Without trying to be funny, mate, everyone gets the same room. I am the only one with a big room because I have to meet with people."
"Oh." And off he (Kaif) walked.
Warne then goes onto reveal in his book that he felt the Indian players had a lot of stardom, hence he had to make sure that everyone gets equal treatment, regardless of who they are.
"We realised that the senior Indians expected preferential treatment and youngsters were like, you know, 'pick my bag!'. So I figured that I had to gain the respect of the whole squad of 50 by quickly laying down exactly the same ground rules for everyone," he added in his book.
Updated 19:12 IST, November 7th 2018
