‘Never played to shut down critics’ – David Warner after his return to form in T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka

Australia batter David Warner found himself in all sorts of strife, having not being able to score runs at any level. Apart from losing captaincy in the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he lost his place from their playing eleven as well. In the T20 World Cup 2021 warm-up matches, the veteran strained to find form, scoring 0 and 1 against New Zealand and India respectively.

In Australia’s first Super 12 match against South Africa, he promised with three fours before getting out. However, he returned to his best against Sri Lanka on Thursday, guiding his team to a seven-wicket win. Although he didn’t get the Player of the Match award, Warner conjured praises after scoring 65 off 42 with the help of 10 fours.

Warner hit his first boundary off Maheesh Theekshana with a reverse-sweep through the third man region. It was the same shot that got him out when he was facing Ravi Ashwin in one of the practice games. The southpaw called it a “low-risk” shot and also highlighted the importance of putting pressure on the bowlers.

You’ve got to apply pressure on the bowlers, says David Warner

“I got criticised when I got out to Ashwin in the practice game playing the same shot. We know which bowlers are bowling what, we know where the fields are and we know how to try and apply pressure. If it comes off, it comes off,” Warner said after the match.

“When they’re coming over the wicket, they’ve obviously got their carrom ball to come straight down the line. For me, it’s actually a low-risk shot to go with the spin and because you’ve only got two (fielders) out to protect, you’ve got to back yourself. It’s a shot that I favour. You’ve got to apply pressure and that’s how I start my innings against spin,” he stated.

Warner also said that he doesn’t believe in playing to shut down critics. Rather he believes to take failures in his stride and move ahead. “Shutting the critics down? No, never. That’s the world of sport. When you ride the highs, you’ve got to ride the lows and you’ve got to stay confident, keep a smile on your face, and never let it get to you,” Warner added.

Check the latest updates of the T20 World Cup schedule, T20 World cup Teams and Squads, T20 World Cup Points table, and more on CricTracker.