By Zaahier Adams
In a place where Bollywood is the buzzword, where superstars like Shilpa Shetty, Preita Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan are the attractions, it's ironic that the man nicknamed "Hollywood" is the main drawcard.
He may have retired two years ago, but Australian legend Shane Warne is the biggest star of the Indian Premier League. The fact that he led the underrated Rajasthan Royals to the maiden IPL title last year has kept him in the spotlight even longer.
Warne, 40, loves the cameras. He is cricket's ultimate showman. Speaking on his arrival in Cape Town for this year's IPL, the glare was back in his eyes, this time buoyed by the prospect of South African crowds actually wanting him to do well.
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'I've got no problems with the IPL being in South Africa' "I've got no problems with the IPL being in South Africa. It's a great place. I've always enjoyed playing cricket in South Africa. I've got special memories. I played my 100th Test in Cape Town, so I've a special place in my heart for Cape Town. I've also made some great friends in Johannesburg," Warne said.
"Cape Town people have a passion for the game and, like all South Africans, who are very similar to Australians in this way, they love their sport. I've been amazed by how many people have come up to us who said how impressed they were with what the Royals achieved last season. So it seems we have a good support base here and with Graeme Smith and Morné Morkel in our side, maybe they'll come out and support us. Maybe I'll even get a cheer when I come on to bowl and not be booed like it's been in the past."
One of the South African "friends" Warne has made is none other than Proteas skipper and Royals teammate Graeme Smith. This friendship surprised many as the duo had publicly criticised each other in the past.
"When we met up in the foyer of the team hotel for the first time, I just said: 'How ya doing mate? Do we have a problem?' He said: 'No', and I said: 'Ok let's carry on', and that was that."
"He's also matured a lot, grown up.
'I mean we were beating South Africa, and he still just couldn't keep quiet'
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