David Warner, who led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their only Indian Premier League title in 2016, was stripped of the captaincy in May 2021 before being dropped from the playing XI for the second time this year. However, the southpaw turned things around in the T20 World Cup and finished as the player of the tournament, playing crucial innings in the semi-finals and final and helping his side claim their maiden T20 title.
After the IPL was suspended midway in May, Warner opted to skip Australia’s tour of Bangladesh and the West Indies and entered the second leg of the league without much playing time.
Warner, who found his momentum in the recently concluded World Cup, was stripped of the captaincy and dropped from the ‘most loved team in years’. He said that he was not even told the reason behind it. In an interview to the Economic Times, Warner said, “When you are dropped from the team you have loved the most for years without any real mistake and taken away the captaincy without giving any reason, it is a pain.” it happens. Also no complaints. The fans in India have always been there for me and it is for them that you play. We play for fun. We play to pursue excellence. ,
Although Warner knew that his hard work in the nets would pay off. “Whatever may have been the reason for me not getting a place in the IPL team, I can tell you that I had trained the hardest ever. I didn’t miss a single day. I was batting very well in the nets and it was only a matter of time before everything was fine,” said the 35-year-old.
“So yes, while it hurt, I knew I would have another chance. Sport is a great leveler and if you are true to the game and keep working hard, you will always have a second chance. I Just wanted to do the hardest thing and stay true. I’m glad it worked for me,” Warner said.
SRH assistant coach Brad Haddin feels Warner’s decision to drop Warner during the IPL had nothing to do with cricketing matters. Haddin said it was the lack of match practice that forced him to drop Warner from the lineup.
The 35-year-old appeared off-colour in Australia’s practice games but eventually found his rhythm in the tournament justified. He scored 289 runs including a half-century in the final against New Zealand.
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