Cricketing world in shock, disbelief over legendary Shane Warne's sudden death

World cricketers past and present from Sachin Tendulkar to Babar Azam led tributes to Shane Warne after the Australian spin maestro died suddenly of a heart attack at 52.

Many took to Twitter to express their sadness and disbelief over the sudden demise of the cricketing star.

Following are reactions to the reports of the death of Australian cricketer Shane Warne.

INDIA GREAT SACHIN TENDULKA

"Will miss you Warnie. There was never a dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on field duels & off field banter," Tendulkar tweeted. "You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you. Gone too young!"

CRICKET AUSTRALIA CEO NICK HOCKLEY

"Shane was one of the most talented and charismatic cricketers we have ever witnessed. He loved cricket, had an extraordinarily astute understanding of the game and his influence and legacy will last for as long as it is played."

AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN PAT CUMMINS

"Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.

"So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him.

"It has been a terrible couple of days for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh and now Shane."

EX-AUSTRALIA WICKETKEEPER ADAM GILCHRIST

"Numb. The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work."

WEST INDIES GREAT BRIAN LARA

"I literally don't know how to sum up this situation. My friend is gone!! We have lost one of the greatest sportsmen of all time!"

WEST INDIES GREAT VIV RICHARDS

"Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket."

INDIA CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA

"I'm truly lost for words here, this is extremely sad. An absolute legend and champion of our game has left us. RIP Shane Warne... still can't believe it."

PAKISTAN CAPTAIN BABAR AZAM

"Find it hard to believe. Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed."

INDIAN BATSMAN VIRAT KOHLI

"Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat (greatest of all time). Greatest to turn the cricket ball," Virat Kohli tweeted.

FORMER PAKISTAN CAPTAIN SHAHID AFRIDI

"The game of cricket has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today. I was inspired by his bowling from the start of my career and it was always a privilege to play against him."

FORMER INDIA BATSMAN GAUTAM GAMBHIR

"Very few can match their attitude with raw talent. #ShaneWarne made bowling look like magic!"

FORMER ENGLAND BATSMAN IAN BELL

"There are no words. A hero growing up and the greatest player I ever played against. I can't believe it."

ENGLAND CAPTAIN JOE ROOT

"My experience of Shane was someone that also loved the game of cricket. He was always a joy to be around and gave so much energy to the sport.

"As a kid growing up, he was a massive idol of mine. Someone you wanted to emulate the way he could win a game on his own, his skill level was incredible. To have had the opportunity to get to know him a little bit it was deeply saddening to hear the news."

RAJASTHAN ROYALS, THE IPL TEAM WARNE LED TO THE 2008 TITLE

"Shane Warne. The name stands for magic. Our first Royal; a man who made us believe that impossible is just a myth. A leader who walked the walk, talked the talk, and turned underdogs into champions. A mentor who turned everything he touched into gold.

"We don't have the words to express what we truly feel at the moment, but what we know is that the world is poorer today, as it will now exist without his smile, his brilliance, and his attitude to live life to its fullest.

"We're completely heartbroken, as are millions of cricket fans all around the world. Warnie, you're forever going to be our captain, leader, Royal. Rest in peace, legend."

PAKISTAN BOWLER SHADAB KHAN

"To the greatest legspinner of all time = Shane Warne. The reason I started bowling legspin. Rest in power. There will be none like you. Few people have the power to inspire generations, you are the reason so many of us started bowling legspin."

FORMER INDIA BATSMAN VIRENDER SEHWAG

"One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more. Life is very fragile, but this is very difficult to fathom."

Many others shared their sentiments on social media as well.

Warne is regarded as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time after a career in which he took 708 Test wickets in a Test career which span from 1992 to 2007.

Warne's last post on Twitter, 12 hours before his death was reported was a tribute to Marsh.