Shane Warne led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL title in the inaugural edition in 2008 (BCCI Photo)

Shane Warne is probably the best captain the Australian cricket team never had mainly because they so other greats like Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Cricket fans realised that when Warne led the Rajasthan Royals in the first edition of the Indian Premier League.

Warne was not just the captain of the side, but also the most senior player in the team and therefore, commanded a lot of respect from the players.

The greatest leg-spinner tag only added to his stature in a team which was filled with young and upcoming India players who went on to achieve greater heights in the sport.

But not many know of the inside details of how Warne shaped the team and his players one by one, leading up to the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league.

In his new autobiography titled 'No Spin', Warne has written about his experience at Rajasthan Royals in the first season and recollected some of the back stories that went into the making of the team, that eventually went on to lift the title in the maiden edition itself.

Warne mentioned an incident related to his then teammate Mohammed Kaif, who was back then one of the superstars of Indian cricket and also behaved like one when the team got together for the first time at the hotel.

Warne writes: "It was Mohammed Kaif, who, unknowingly, brought our attention to something that needed fixing straightaway. 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 wrote: "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."

Warne, who went on to lead the Royals for four seasons before retiring from the league, then narrated a funny incident with fast bowler Munaf Patel.

"I had a lot of time for Munaf Patel, who had a huge heart and a great sense of humour. I was sitting at the back of a bus with him one day, early on and asked how old he was.

"Skipper, do you want real age or IPL age as others would ask?" Munaf asked.

Warne said: "I just want to know how old you are."

The answer that Munaf gave impressed Warne.

"I am 24 but if my real age was 34, I would still tell you my IPL age was 24, because this is a good gig and I very much wanted to play. If I am 34, no one picks me. If I am 28, people think I have a few good years left......I'm going to stay in my 20s for a long time to come," Munaf said. Good thinking Munaf.

It is well documented that Ravindra Jadeja rose to stardom with the first IPL where Warne termed him his "rockstar".

Warne in his book recollected how he had to discipline one of the future stars of Indian cricket.

According to Warne, "We loved him (Jadeja) from the minute we saw his approach and enthusiasm. There was a bit of 'boy wonder' in him so we gave him a longer leash than most, but his lack of discipline was a problem because it sometimes led the younger guys down the wrong path."

"We let a few things go but I cannot stand anyone who is late for anything. And Ravi Jadeja was always late. First time, there was a bit of confusion with bags and stuff, so I let it slide. Second time, no good -- the bus left at 9 am for training and he wasn't on it. So he had to make his own way to the ground and of course was late again.

"On the way back after training, I stopped the bus halfway to the hotel and said, 'guys, we had someone late again this morning. Ravi, mate, Get off here and walk home.' One of his mates made a fuss and I told him to get off too and told them to walk back together. No one was late after that."

(With PTI inputs)