One of the most consistent and prolific batsmen in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) – David Warner has included the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and former India captain MS Dhoni in his best India-Australia IPL XI.
Warner, who is also the skipper of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise in the T20 extravaganza, holds the records for the most runs by an overseas player (4706), most half-centuries (44) and the highest individual score by a captain (126) in the IPL.
The 33-year-old Warner left out the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Amit Mishra, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson and his current Australian teammate Steve Smith from the final XI.
In an online conversation with commentator Harsha Bhogle from his home amid lockdown, Warner chose himself and Rohit as openers of the line-up. Kohli comes in at no.3 while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart Suresh Raina slots into the no.4 position.
For the no.5 and no.6 position, Warner picked big-hitting all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Glenn Maxwell. CSK skipper MS Dhoni comes in at no.7 and is also the wicketkeeper of the side.
There was a host of names in the bowling department – including the likes of his fellow Aussie pacer, Mitchell Starc. Alongside Starc, Warner picked the Indian pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra.
While the left-handed opener was sure about the selection of his seamers, in the spin department, he chose the ‘KulCha’ combination.
Warner also spoke about the similarities he seems to share with Kohli. “I can’t speak for Virat, obviously, but it’s almost like we got this thing in us when we go (out to the middle) we need to prove people wrong, prove someone wrong,” Warner said.
“If you’re in that contest, and if I’m going at him for example, you’re thinking, ‘Alright, I’m going to score more runs than him, I’m going to take a quick single on him’.
“You are trying to better that person in that game. That’s where the passion comes from,” he added.
David Warner’s best India-Australia IPL XI:
David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Glenn Maxwell, MS Dhoni (wk), Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav
