Medics fear COVID vaccine link to cricketer Shane Warne's sudden death
London, Jun 20: A leading UK-based Indian-origin consultant cardiologist and an Australian medic said on Tuesday that they fear the sudden death last year of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne may have been precipitated by the COVID mRNA vaccine that he had taken approximately nine months prior.
Cardiologists Dr Aseem Malhotra and Dr Chris Neil, who is also President of the Australian Medical Professionals' Society (AMPS), said the post-mortem findings for Warne, 52, revealed coronary atherosclerosis or heart disease.
They said their research shows that a COVID mRNA vaccine can cause a rapid acceleration of coronary disease, especially in those that may already have undetected mild heart disease.
"It's quite unusual for former international sportsmen to suffer a sudden cardiac death at such a young age, 52," said Dr Malhotra.
"At the same time, we also know Shane didn't have the healthiest lifestyle in recent years, being both overweight and a smoker. It's likely that some mild underlying furring of his arteries as I've seen with my own patients and how my own father died rapidly progressed in the months after he received two doses of the Pfizer mRNA COVID vaccine," he said.
Warne, a leg spin bowler, was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Thailand in March last year. Malhotra points to published research which shows the plausible biological mechanism of "mild underlying furring" occurring through increasing coronary inflammation that can last for months after the vaccine has been administered.
"The evidence for common and serious adverse cardiac effects from these jabs is overwhelming, and I have no doubt that a major contributor to the excess deaths we are seeing around the world, including Australia, is because of the COVID mRNA vaccines," he said.
"There needs to be an immediate suspension of their use worldwide pending an investigation to stop further people being harmed and dying unnecessarily," added Malhotra.
Australia-based Dr Neil also said that after critically appraising all the evidence, it became "clear" to him that the COVID vaccines can adversely affect the cardiovascular system in more ways than just myocarditis and pericarditis or forms of heart inflammation.
"Looking at the data, 20 per cent of all notifications of heart attacks as suspected drug reactions ever reported to the TGA [Therapeutic Goods Administration] over 52 years have nominated a COVID vaccine as the suspected medicine. Most of these reports were made by doctors, so we know that many including cardiologists are concerned," said Neil.
"These signals are a call for critical attention, and we will be releasing a series of pharmacovigilance reports, starting with one on cardiovascular adverse events," he said.
Former England cricketer and Indian Premier League (IPL) regular Dimitri Mascarenhas reacted to the news about Warne, whom he described as his "best friend".
"Shane was my best friend. I'm shocked and saddened to learn that his death was entirely preventable," said Mascarenhas.
"If he'd not taken the COVID vaccine, he'd likely still be alive today. He wouldn't want others to be harmed, so I fully support these doctors' calls for an immediate suspension of these jabs in Australia and around the world," he said.
In the UK, Conservative Party MP Andrew Bridgen also backed the call for the suspension of vaccines until deeper research is conducted.
"Many people have privately raised concerns regarding the cause of Shane Warne's death at such a young age, however this new analysis from eminent expert cardiologists linking it to the COVID vaccination must now be a wake-up call for world health authorities," said Bridgen.
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Riyan Parag named Rajasthan Royals captain ahead of IPL season
New Delhi (PTI): Talented Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag was on Friday named Rajasthan Royals skipper for the upcoming IPL season, marking a leadership reset after Sanju Samson’s switch to Chennai Super Kings.
A product of the Royals system and one of the franchise’s longest-serving Indian players, the 24-year-old Riyan has been with Rajasthan Royals since IPL 2019. He thus becomes one of the youngest skippers in the league’s recent history.
“Rajasthan Royals has been my home in the IPL since day one. This franchise has backed me, developed me, and pushed me to grow every season,” Riyan said in a statement issued by RR.
"To now lead this team is incredibly special, and it’s a responsibility I fully embrace. I’m excited to work alongside our coaches and leadership group to play fearless, smart cricket and make our fans proud."
Riyan had a brief taste of leadership last year when he captained the side in eight matches in the absence of Samson, who was sidelined due to injury.
Although RR managed just two wins in that phase and eventually finished ninth, Riyan's did well with the bat, scoring 393 runs in 14 innings at an average of 32.75 (as per official IPL website) highlighted by a career-best 95 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Kumar Sangakkara, Head Coach of Rajasthan Royals, said, “Riyan has developed into a high-impact player and a strong presence in our group. He’s shown composure under pressure, a sharp cricketing mind, and a real understanding of how we want to play.
"Already as part of the player leadership group, he has the respect of the dressing room, and we’re confident he will thrive in this role.”
Across 84 IPL appearances, Parag has scored 1,566 runs at a strike rate of 141.84. His breakout season came in 2024 when he piled up 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.21. Though he struck at an even sharper 166.52 last season, his overall tally dropped to 393 with only one fifty.
"Riyan represents the kind of leadership we want to build at Rajasthan Royals - earned through character, growth and performance," Manoj Badale, RR lead owner, said.
"He understands this franchise deeply because he has lived its journey for years. We believe he is ready to lead with clarity, courage and accountability, and we’re excited to see him take this step in IPL 2026.”
Following the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach last season, Rajasthan will now head into the next season with a new coaching group led by Kumar Sangakkara as Director of Cricket and Head Coach.
He will be supported by Vikram Rathour as lead Assistant coach, Shane Bond as fast bowling coach, Trevor Penney as assistant coach, and Sid Lahiri as performance coach.
