Mohali, March 5 : Former Indian captain Virat Kohli on Saturday described Shane Warne as the greatest spinner to have ever played the game. “Just very grateful to have known him and for me the greatest spinner to ever played the game,” Kohli said in a video message. The Australian legend died of heart attack in Thailand on Friday at age 52 despite frantic attempts from four of his friends who battled for 20 minutes to save his life. Kohli said Warne’s death was totally unexpected. “He went far too early and I stand here with disbelief and shock because I got to know him off the field as well. And I understood the persona and the charisma he brought to every conversation that he was a part of and from that I could understand what he brought on the field as well,” he said. Kohli said Warne was an honest man and lived life king size. “Just an honest, honest man upfront. Any conversation you had, you can see the passion he had when he spoke. Spoke so clearly that he knew exactly what he was saying. He lived life king size.” Paying deepest condolences to his family and friends, Kohli said: “Needless to say surely he will be missed, but I hope that we can put things in the right perspective in life knowing how unpredictable things are and just be grateful for all these moments that God has blessed us with to just be alive and healthy.” Indian captain Rohit Sharma said he was devastated to hear the news of Warne’s death. He said the Aussie inspired a whole new generation of cricketers and did wonders with the ball. BDN MR