IPL won't be same in South Africa: Warne

Spin legend Shane Warne said it's a shame that the Indian Premier League had to be shifted to South Africa and felt it won't be the same in the rainbow country.

Spin legend Shane Warne said it's a shame that the Indian Premier League had to be shifted to South Africa and felt "it won't be the same" in the rainbow country.

Rajasthan Royals celebrate their victory over Chennai Superkings in the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League last year

Warne, who led underdogs Rajasthan Royal to title victory in the first edition, said it would not be possible for South Africa to match the frenzy that surrounded last year's IPL.

"It'll be nothing like if it was in India, and it's a shame it can't be in India. It won't be the same as it being in India, but hopefully the South African public will get behind it and turn up to the ground and make it a great spectacle," Warne said.

The orgainsers moved the second edition of the IPL to South Africa as it's schedule clashed with the general elections.

Recalling the victory in the inaugural tournament, Warne said, "To win it on the last ball last year as the underdogs, having been thrashed in our first game, was pretty special in front of 80,000 people."

Warne also said the shifting of the tournament has disturbed their planning for the eight-team event. "We've done three months of planning about itineraries and practice matches and all sorts of things. We were all set to go. We started planning for England over the weekend and now we're planning for South Africa as of yesterday," he said.