David Warner Withdraws From IND vs AUS, Replacement Announced

Veteran opener David Warner has withdrawn from Australia’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India after the successful campaign in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The series is scheduled to get underway on November 23, just four days after the final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. David Warner played in all of the 11 games for Australia and played a key role in their triumphant campaign. The left-handed batsman scored 535 runs with the help of two centuries and two half-centuries in the competition as Australia clinched a record-extending sixth title.

He finished the competition as Australia’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He has now been rested for the upcoming T20I series along with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cam Green and Mitchell Marsh. He will now return home to get some much-needed rest before preparing for his final Test summer. David Warner has already announced that he would retire from Tests after the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January.

“Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,” stated a statement from Cricket Australia.

David Warner’s replacement:

David Warner has been replaced in Australia’s T20 squad by pace-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie. The West Australia made his T20I and ODI debuts during the tour of South Africa in September. With David Warner out of the series, Steve Smith could be promoted as an opener by Australia in the fourth series. The former Australia skipper had a stunning outing as an opener for Sydney Sixers in the last BBL season.

In another change, fast-bowler Kane Richardson has replaced Spencer Johnson who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury. Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade will lead the Australian team.

Australia T20I squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

India T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar