Shane Warne tells Aussies to take part in IPL despite threats from an Indian political party.
The Mumbai-based Shiv Sena, a right-wing party, has said Australians will be barred from playing matches in the city in retaliation for recent attacks on Indians living in Australia, including last month's murder of 21-year-old Punjabi Nitin Garg in Melbourne -- Warne's home town.

But Warne, captain and coach of the Rajasthan Royals, told reporters at Lord's here on Monday: "As far as I've said, and what I have heard and read, I've got no security issues whatsoever.

"There's been things put in the press about minority incidents happening in Melbourne, which is a terrible shame and very unfortunate.

"I've been meeting with the premier of Victoria (John Brumby) to address a lot of those issues and come up with a plan to help the relationship between India and Australia," Warne said.

"As far as the IPL is concerned, I have absolutely no concerns whatsoever. I'm sure the other Australian players will be looking forward to it too."

Legendary leg-spinner Warne, who led Rajasthan to victory in the inaugural IPL in 2008, added: "There's a lot of security with the teams. I've got no issue whatsoever travelling to India.

"It took me a while to appreciate the culture, the people and to enjoy India. The first few (Australia) tours, when you are losing, getting smashed all over the park and getting none for a hundred, it's not much fun.

"But the last couple of tours we managed to beat India over there, I really started to enjoy the people and their passion," explained Warne, who retired from Test cricket following Australia's 5-0 Ashes whitewash of England in 2007.

"And being involved in the last few years in the IPL, I've got no issues whatsoever in going to India."

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Posted on February 9th, 2010 by leekeenan