Shane Warne’s choice of headgear during his commentary stints in the ongoing Australia-India Test series has sparked fervent debate on social media, and he has now confirmed the real reason behind him donning a flat cap: his love of the TV show Peaky Blinders.

Warne has rarely been seen without the stiff-brimmed headwear in recent times. There had been some speculation that Peaky Blinders, a popular crime show set in the aftermath of the First World War, had provided inspiration for the fashion choice, and Warne has now confirmed that not only is he a fan of the show, he wants to be on it.

Nobody:

Literally Nobody:

Shane Warne: Put me on Peaky Blinders#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/mW8cS0v5KZ

— Tarang / तरंग (@tarang_chawla) December 19, 2020

“I wanna be one of the Shelby’s long lost… (in Cockney accent) Tommy Shelby, Arthur,” Warne said on Fox Cricket, referring to characters in the TV show in question. “I want to be in Peaky Blinders. Please can I be in Peaky Blinders? I would really like [to be].”

Shane… Shelby? @ShaneWarne is keen for start on @ThePeakyBlinder. Season 6 cameo? 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6Q0HWSFJPm

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 7, 2021

The Peaky Blinders theory wasn’t the only one floating around. With Warne an ambassador for Advanced Hair Studio, some wondered if the hairdo the former leg-spinner was seen sporting on one of the rare occasions he was spotted without a cap on could have been the reason behind his fashion choice.

Warney’s cap makes sense now @FoxCricket #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/cbPDdzAb7o

— Ben Allen (@benallen_9) December 27, 2020

However, in a tweet responding to ABC Radio Melbourne senior producer Jo Woods, Warn confirmed he had never had hair plugs. “I would have thought an ABC journalist would have done her homework on this,” Warne said, in a now-deleted tweet. “No plugs dear”.

haha! pic.twitter.com/cDWkMu4e87

— Funny Molecule 🍻 (@tweeetbro) January 7, 2021