AUS vs NAM: David Warner pledges full commitment to IPL post-international retirement

Australia opener David Warner opened up about his plans after he retires from international cricket. The veteran batter stated that he will be focused on playing as much IPL and franchise cricket as he can. 

Australia opener David Warner will be donning national colors for just a few more days now. The veteran batter is all set to hang up his boots after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, which is underway in the United States of America and the Caribbean. 

David Warner has already called his retirement from the Tests and the ODIs. However, after the T20 World Cup, he will put the final nail in the coffin and it’s fair to say that it will mark an end to an era in Australian cricket as he has been the best opening batter for the team for a long. 

David Warner would be hoping to end his career on high as he would want to help Australia lift the tournament. The batter has looked in terrific touch in the ongoing event as he slammed a half-century in the first game and then went on to play a brutal cameo against England. 

David Warner, who became the leading run-scorer for Australia in T20Is during the T20 World Cup, talked about his post-retirement plans and claimed that he had realized the need to give opportunities to youngsters and he believes that Australian cricket will be in great hands. Speaking on the Delhi Capitals podcast, he explained: 

“I feel great. It's time now to keep playing as much IPL and franchise cricket as I can. It's very hard to play for over a decade and keep your spot. I think if we can get some young guys coming through, who have potential, Australian cricket's going to be in good stead for the future.”

David Warner further talked about his relationship with Delhi Capitals and claimed that when he first joined the team with likes of AB de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, Paul Collingwood, Daniel Vettori, and Andrew McDonald explained to him things like work-life balance. 

David Warner also added that Delhi Capitals has given him a lot and if he can give the franchise even a little bit back then he will be a responsible player. He elaborated: 

“Delhi's been a big part of my life. They gave me an opportunity when I first started. And now towards the back end of my career, I'm here as well. So I'm forever thankful. When I first came to Delhi, I had guys like AB de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, Paul Collingwood, Daniel Vettori, and Andrew McDonald, who's now my Australian coach.

“Those guys were telling me all about what it's like to be on the road, especially when you've got family, when you don't have family, coping mechanisms, they're the biggest things when it comes to what you do every day, how to deal with your work, how do you balance work life. 

“So when you come together now as a team, you almost feel like you're part of the furniture everywhere you go. If I can give back as little as I can or as much as I can, I know I'm being that responsible, experienced player."

I came for the IPL because I knew that if I played well, I could be here for a long time - David Warner 

David Warner further talked about the connection he has with India. He revealed that when he first came to play IPL, he knew if he performed well he could stay there for a long. While talking about his love for India, he explained: 

“I love it. It's an organised chaos. So for me, I started embracing India the first time I came for the IPL because I knew that if I played well, I could be here for a long time. What I didn't realise is how big India is. I love people, it's incredible.

 “Like here, no one says no, and everything is possible. You can give some of the most impossible tasks, and they'll make it happen. And I'm just like, it's crazy,” he concluded.