'He wouldn't have played a hundred times if it was that simple' - Rahul Dravid on David Warner ahead of WTC final
"David has been very successful. We know it's a very important wicket to get early on,” Dravid said.
India have advanced to World Test Championship Final, which will be played at the Oval from June 7. The Rahul Dravid-coached team won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by defeating Australia this year and will face the same team in the WTC final. Notably, India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 victory at home under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, India coach Dravid is aware of the David Warner threat and understands the team needs to get going quickly to counter the explosive Australia opener in the WTC final. Warner, 36, is one of the finest opening batters of his generation, having amassed 8,158 runs at an average of 45.57 in 103 Tests. However, he has scored a solitary century in his last 32 innings heading into the WTC final and the Ashes.
Warner is a class player: Rahul Dravid
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, Indian bowlers made things difficult for the Australian opener, as before getting injured in Delhi Warner could score just 26 runs in three innings of the two Tests he played.
He returned to Australia amid calls for his removal, with his spot in the team in danger. However, the Australian selectors showed trust in him as he has been selected for WTC final and first two Ashes Tests. While Dravid is hoping India will be able to keep Warner quiet, he is aware that the Australia batter is capable to counter India's plans.
"He (Warner) is a class player. It's not as simple as just turning up and bowling round the wicket and getting him out. He wouldn't have played a hundred times if it was that simple. There's nowhere to hide any more, everyone has very similar information about each other," Dravid told press.
"It's just how you counter that. Every batsman will have areas they're strong at and areas that are not probably their strengths, and David has been very successful. We know it's a very important wicket to get early on,” he added.
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