shane warne
Shane Warne speaks to the media at Hamer Hall, announcing a national speaking tour titled Warney Uncut on February 7, 2017 in Melbourne, AustraliaQuinn Rooney/Getty

Australia cricket legend Shane Warne has returned to Indian Premier League (IPL) side Rajasthan Royals as the Team Mentor ahead of IPL 2018. The 48-year-old was a key member of RR from 2008-2011.

The veteran leg-break bowler made the announcement with a wide-eyed selfie, signifying a huge excitement!

"Very excited to be joining the Rajasthan Royals in this years IPL as team mentor!" he wrote on Instagram. 

Warne was the captain-cum-coach of Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, the year the team won their only IPL title.

He led the IPL team from 2008-11 during which he played 52 games and picked 56 wickets.

rajasthan royals, shane warne
Shane Warne with the Rajasthan Royals team in 2011PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty

"I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey. I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the franchise and fans of Rajasthan Royals," Warne said to the Rajasthan Royals website in a statement.

"We have a strong, young and energetic bunch of boys and I am looking forward to work with them."

Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have also announced that former Mumbai batsman Zubin Bharucha has joined the team as the head of cricket.

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