Shane Warne announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of 2006, telling reporters his "time had come" and he would consider his future away from cricket "over a few quiet beers and a few smokes." The words "quiet and Warne" are not often found together in the same sentence, so it was no surprise when he burst back into the big time as the winning captain and coach of Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL.

Warne's diary tracks the events of the 2009 IPL tournament from the defending champions' perspective, giving the viewer a more direct link to the workings of the keenest brain in cricket. Unfortunately, last year's campaign almost mirrored the 2010 effort- some great wins were achieved against the odds, but ultimately a level of inexperience caught them just short of a semi-final place. The fairytale finish may be missing, but this three and a half hour epic is engaging if a little overlong.

The modern urge to have layers and layers of management has always been a bug bear to Warne. His belief in putting one person in charge and letting them run the show is well known and the Rajasthan owners were wise enough to listen. Having "One Voice" from the top may end up as a dictatorship in the wrong hands, but Warne's charges show a genuine and at times an almost touching respect for the way he man manages.

The film is at its strongest in the depiction of the community spirit engendered within the camp. The tournament was held in South Africa due to the terrorist incidents in Mumbai, so Warne's ability to create a family atmosphere for the younger and potentially homesick Indian members was vital. His unique access to the mood and rhythm of a situation is a gift that not many possess.

The Royals have historically always invested in youth, and, while this may have hindered them in the last two campaigns, Warne backs his players, whatever their name or number. The likes of young Kamran Khan and Abhishek Raut being given responsibility and revelling in it is particularly refreshing to see. Moreover, the rehabilitation of Shane Watson as an international cricketer of repute might just have a little bit to do with his former Aussie team-mate's TLC. Crucially, Tanvir and Watson were unavailable in 2009, depriving the captain of his engine room.

You can almost see Warne's brain ticking into overdrive, his attention to detail aimed at maximising every opportunity. He is like a computer, but with a living and breathing built-in memory. He keeps things simple, doesn't talk in conundrums and comes across as refreshingly transparent. When speaking of an unlikely friendship with Graeme Smith, it comes across as a genuine delight rather than a cloying appreciation society or a forced attempt at buddydom.

The second disc is perhaps a little unnecessary, given that much of it is repetition, tracking back to the original 2008 success to fill the void. The quote on a loop - "the greatest captain Australia never had" - might begin to grate a little bit by the end too. Nevertheless, this documentary captures a true picture of camaraderie in a universal team, some stunning finishes in the cricket itself, and offers an insight into why Shane Warne can touch the parts that other mortal human beings can't reach.

(Brightspark Productions, £11.99 (Amazon price)

Tim Ellis