David Warner wins over the Bangalore crowd with his display of sportsman spirit

India and Australia matches have been fired up of late with Virat Kohli’s team matching Steve Smith & Co. not just in the three departments of the game but also in the sledging war. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year was a prime example of how hot things could get. But this time, David Warner displayed compassion towards an India rather the true spirit of the game and it won over the crowd.

Bangalore was the same venue where the biggest controversy of the Test series, the ‘brain fade’ had sparked off and the Chinnaswamy crowd hasn’t forgiven Smith for that yet as he was booed on his way back to the pavilion. Whereas Warner’s act earned praise. The Australian opener was at the non-striker’s end when Hardik Pandya ran in to bowl 3rd ball of the 28th over.

The Indian all-rounder lost grip of the ball amidst his run up and even before getting into the delivery stride the ball popped out of his hand. It rolled towards the other end. The umpire Shamshudin declared it a dead ball and Warner sprint behind it, collected it from the middle of the pitch and threw it back at Pandya.

There was a cheer as the crowd loved this gesture and made sure the Aussie was lauded for it. That was not the only thing that earned Warner praise as the opener scored a scintillating hundred in his 100th ODI and his knock of 124 ensured Australia posted a massive total of 334 which proved match-winning as the Indians fell 21 runs short of the target.

Watch the video here

After the conclusion of the innings, while talking to former Australian skipper Michael Clarke, Warner said that they had come into this game with an intent to win and he was glad the first innings went as per plan.

“Obviously, you like things going to plan sometimes. Today it came off. Like I said before the game, we had to come out with a bit of intent. It (the surface) is pretty good when the bowlers missed their length when they adjusted it was quite hard to hit through the line,” the southpaw said.

When Warner was asked whether the total they have reached is enough to keep the mighty Indian batting line-up at bay he said: “We assessed the situation and anything above 300 is a good total, but we have to bowl well.”

“The spinners didn’t bowl too full and it was quite hard in that aspect. We read off each other pretty well. If he (Finch) is going I can play the anchor and he does the same when I am going. I am always thinking two balls (to reach the 100) but you get a little bit nervous playing your 100th game,” he concluded.