Australian opener David Warner attributes his remarkable white-ball success to his invaluable experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly during his tenure with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The 36-year-old stole the spotlight with a stunning 163 off 124 balls, contributing significantly to Australia’s commanding 62-run victory over Pakistan in Bangalore on October 20. His exceptional performance included a dazzling 259-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh. This marked the second-highest opening stand in World Cup history and propelled Australia to an imposing total of 367/9 in 50 overs.
Reflecting on his ability to adapt and excel in Indian conditions, Warner emphasized the lessons learned during his time with SRH.
“I’ve learned to switch up my game, especially in T20 cricket and the IPL. Playing for Sunrisers taught me that you have more time than you realize. On these surfaces, if you take your time in the later part of the game, you can score big,” David Warner explained (via icc-cricket.com).
“And that’s how I approached today. I aim to reach 35 overs and then, if I’m still batting, I try to accelerate. So, it’s always in the back of your mind that you actually have more time than you might think,” he added.
Despite starting his IPL journey with the Delhi franchise, Warner rose to prominence during his remarkable eight-year stint with SRH from 2014 to 2021. Achieving numerous accolades, he clinched the Orange Cap twice (2015 and 2017) and led SRH to an IPL title in 2016.
David Warner also stands as the third-highest run-scorer in IPL history, boasting 6,397 runs at an impressive average of 41.53 and a formidable strike rate of 139.91, including four centuries.