David Warner amused to see the commercialization of India-Australia series

Australian opener David Warner recently claimed that rivalry between India and Australia is great for the game of cricket but it is amusing for him to see how the rivalry is portrayed. In an interview with renowned cricket historian Boria Mazumdar, Warner stated that words such as sledgehammer and ‘bully to bully’ shouldn’t be used to depict the rivalry.

Warner further added that the two teams play aggressive and competitive cricket which has produced some riveting matches in the recent years. That said, Warner wasn’t happy with the commercialization of the Indo-Australian rivalry.

India is currently leading the 5-match ODI series by 2-0, after their wins in Kolkata and Chennai. India will next meet the Australians at Holkar Stadium, Indore on September 24. Whenever the two teams face off against each other, the action has always been high-octane sparred with controversies, verbal duel and sledging.

Series against India at par with Ashes: Warner

“It’s quite funny how the series (between India and Australia) are commercialised. Every time I come to this country, you watch the commercials and it’s like bully-to-bully and #sledgehammer. We are two very competitive countries,” commented David Warner according to India Today.

“Don’t think it should be portrayed like that. The rivalry started in Australia. We are both so competitive and we want to beat each other. That level of competitiveness is great for the game. People like seeing that rivalry and we absolutely thrive on playing each other,” further added the hard-hitting batsman.

David Warner seconded former Australian captain Michael Clarke‘s comparison between the Ashes and Indo-Australian rivalry. The southpaw believes that there’s nothing much to choose from between the two historic rivalries.”That passion and aggression are on the field it will be there. It’s a lot like we have with England in the Ashes,” concluded Warner.