IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar Feels David Warner Has Been Dropped For "Non-Cricketing Reason" By SRH

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar opined that David Warner has been left out of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side for reasons more than just his on-field performances.

During the India leg of IPL 2021, the left-handed opener was not only sacked as the SRH captain but also was dropped from the playing eleven. Kane Williamson replaced him as the skipper. As Warner struggled for fluency with the bat, SRH also lost matches in heaps – they had lost 5 of their 6 matches under Warner before he was sacked.

However, Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Warner’s poor run with the bat wasn’t so long that someone of his calibre and stature should be dropped. He also criticised the SRH management for not openly speaking about this issue.

“His poor form has not been going on for so long that Warner gets dropped on batting form. So, it has to be a non-cricketing reason and we have no idea what that is. That is the other thing I don’t understand, why everything is so hush-hush, but there is something definitely going wrong there,” Sanjay Manjrekar said. 

I think he is the best IPL batter we have ever seen with regards to longevity: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar further hailed the Aussie opener as the best IPL batsman in terms of being consistent for a long period of time.

Warner is the leading run-scorer amongst overseas players in the IPL with 5449 runs in 150 matches, averaging 41.59; he has hit 50 half-centuries and 4 hundreds in the IPL. Warner also led SRH to its only IPL title in 2016, defeating RCB in the final.

“Reason has to be non-cricketing. Warner’s numbers over the last few years have been just mind-boggling. I think he is the best IPL batter we have ever seen with regards to longevity,” the 56-year-old commentator added.

SRH was the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race this season. They languish at the bottom of the table with just 2 wins in 12 matches. They will take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

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