IND vs AUS: "I Think That's Going To Be Our Greatest Challenge" - David Warner Believes India Series Is Going To Be A Batting Battle

Updated - 30 Dec 2022, 06:27 PM

David Warner (PC-Getty Images)

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David Warner, a seasoned Australian batsman, expressed regret at Australia’s Test series defeat to India in 2017, saying the Australians ought to have won the fourth game in Dharamshala. The left-handed hitter is aware that playing in India would be difficult for Australia’s batters, but he will draw inspiration from how they did in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Australia last won a Test series in India in 2004 and will travel there for four Test matches in February. After destroying the hosts in the opening game in Pune, the top-ranked Test team nearly overtook India in 2017. Steve Smith and company were unable to finish the series, losing the second and fourth games and drawing the third.

David Warner Preparing For Turning Wickets In India

Warner anticipates spinning pitches from Indian curators, so he believes it’s essential to invest as much time as needed at the wicket. The experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been singled out by the 36-year-old as a key member of Australia’s bowling assault.

Warner stated, as cited by ESPNCricinfo:

“We know we’re going to prepare for, they’re going to be turning wickets. Nagpur and Delhi are quite dry and Dharamsala at that time of the year, we played there and we probably should have won that Test. We lost it ourselves. There’s going to be times where it’s going to be challenging over there. But it’s about how our batters can build and bat big like we did in Pakistan.”

“I think that’s going to be our greatest challenge. I think with the ball, we’re going to probably do a fantastic job. We’ve got a world-class spinner in Nathan Lyon. We’re going to have to obviously think about potentially playing two spinners. I think moving to India, it’s going to be probably a batter’s battle I reckon.”

The left-hander has had trouble in India despite regaining his form with a thunderous double hundred against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. The New South Wales batsman has three fifty-sixes and an average of 24.25 in eight innings.

I Still Know What Energy I Can Bring To The Team: David Warner

Before announcing his retirement, David Warner said he still has the energy and additional drive to win Test series in India and England. Warner, therefore, put an end to any farewell rumours. Added the veteran:

“I still know what energy I can bring to the team. I think once I start losing that spark and energy around training and taking the mickey out of people playing some jokes here and there and pranks, I think that’s when I probably know it’s time. I wish you would stop telling me my age.

“I don’t feel 36. I’m running faster than a lot of these youngsters. But I think the extra motivation for me is winning in India and completely winning a series in England. I’ve been told by the coach and the selectors that they’d like me to be there.”

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