Shane Warne eyes IPL return as a mentor

Kolkata, May 24 (IANS) Admitting he missed his time spent at Indian Premier League, spin wizard and former Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne on Sunday said he might stage a return in the role of a team mentor.

"I miss the time I had in IPL. The four years I spent with Rajasthan Royals, I really enjoyed, made some great friendships," Warne said from London during a special chat with the official commentators.

"IPL is an amazing tournament, the atmosphere, the passion of the supporters, it's really is very amazing tournament to play and share knowledge with all the different players," he said.

While a poll by the official broadcaster indicated as many as 64 percent of the voters wanted the Australian great to back playing in the IPL, the man who led Rajasthan to the first-ever IPL crown, said he might make a comeback only in a mentor's role. 

"I am not sure about playing but may be one of those mentor roles would work, I reckon," said Warne.

Talking about the finals between the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at the Ede Gardens, Warne expressed his dismay over Chennai skipper M.S. Dhoni opting to field first.

"I am very surprised that M.S. Dhoni chose to bowl first after winning the toss. I am really very surprised because in a big final, it's always nice to have runs on the board upfront . Chennai have been really defending well with Dhoni marshaling his troops well. So it's very surprising to see him field first," he said.