New Delhi: Twelve years after getting hammered by Sachin Tendulkar in Sharjah, legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has said that although he still believes that Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman he has ever bowled to, his famous remark that he had nightmares about the little master was just a joke and people seem to have taken it too seriously.

“I want to make it clear that this nightmare remark was a joke. Sachin without doubt is the best batsman of my time and I always enjoyed the challenge of bowling to him, but I am not scared of him or anybody for that matter,” said Warne on the eve of Rajasthan Royals’ match against Delhi Daredevils.

Warne was at the receiving end of Tendulkar’s batting genius on a number of occasions during the late 90s, forcing the leg-spinner to say that he had nightmares, but the leg-spinner insists that he is not afraid of Sachin.

“I am never frightened of anyone. And that’s not me being arrogant, I am just confident of my ability. I have enjoyed bowling against great players like Sachin and Brian Lara. If I were scared I wouldn’t have taken so many wickets in my long span of career. I had quite an experience when he hit me to all parts of the park but I also got him out quite a few times,” said Warne, who has taken 708 wickets in Tests and 293 in One-Day Internationals.

Warne also reminded everyone that he had dismissed Tendulkar once in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the Australian led Rajasthan Royals to win the inaugural edition. “I remember getting him out in the semi-final in 2008. I think I can get him out this time again,” he said.

Warne would turn 41 this year and when asked whether he was planning to play in the next season of the Indian Premier League as well, Warne said, “It all depends whether I am enjoying it or not. I didn’t enjoy the first three matches, but I was touched with the way my boys made a turnaround by winning the next four matches. I also don’t know if Rajasthan Royals wants me for the next season and if I have to go through re-auction. It is a complicated process.”

The maverick spinner, however, added that he wants to stay with the Rajasthan Royals. “I want to show my loyalty towards Royals and would love other youngsters to do it as well,” he said.

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