'He is not a person to be poked' - David Warner not looking to sledge Virat Kohli in India's tour of Australia

David Warner and Virat Kohli are quite similar to each other if their on-field behaviour is taken into consideration. Both the stalwarts like to express themselves on the field and get involved in a verbal battle to heat things up in the middle.

Considering the history of India-Australia encounters, a lot of sparks are expected to fly on the field, especially with the presence of feisty characters like Warner and Kohli. However, Warner has brought in a significant change after returning to the sport from his 12-month ball-tampering ban.

Warner has previously been involved in several verbal on-field spats with India internationals like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, the southpaw isn’t keen to resort to sledging when India tours the Kangaroo nation later this year.

“Virat Kohli is not a person to be poked and no point poking the bear,” Warner was quoted as saying by India Today.

Warner accepted that India were a better side last time around but also said he is looking forward to playing against them. The southpaw also opened up on playing in front of empty stands in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Would be surreal playing against India without the crowd: David Warner

“It would be very surreal playing against India without the crowd. I want to be selected and be part of that series. Last time we were not bad but we were beaten by a good team and their bowling was relentless. Now, India has got the best batting line up and our bowlers will like to target and the Indian crowd will be eager to see that,” opined Warner.

Warner, who has been an integral part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad since joining them, said that most Australian players would like to play the IPL if the government permits.

“Look, most definitely all the players who have been selected and picked in the auction will put their hand up if we are permitted. One we have to get government clearance as well to travel.

If Cricket Australia allows us to go over there and participate, I am sure the guys will definitely be on board with that to be back up and running and playing cricket again,” said Warner, who was set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2020.