David Warner: The Australian opening batsman has spoken against passing comments with Virat Kohli part of the Indian team.
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Australia opening batsman David Warner considers the prospect of starting their international summer with an ODI series as “exciting”. In the general run of things, Australia’s international summer begins with a Test matches preferably at the Gabba which is followed by other formats across the country.
Following the likes of spinner Nathan Lyon, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, Warner talked about India captain Virat Kohli who will be flying back to India after the first Test in Adelaide to be with his wife as two are expecting their first child in January.
“[It’s] different this year. We start with a white-ball series against India, generally the other way around, which is going to be exciting, and Virat [Kohli] is only playing seven of the ten games, so for us, it’s about going out there as a team and trying to control our emotions and play them on skill,” Warner was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
While Australians have had this reputation of verbally attacking oppositions, the same hasn’t been case in the last year or so. Talking specifically about playing against Kohli, Australia tend to tone down their emotions for exchange of words usually brings out the best from the Indian skipper.
David Warner hints at reconsidering sledging Indian players without Virat Kohli as captain
With Kohli set to miss three Test matches, Warner didn’t shy away from stating that Australia might reconsider their stand on verbally attacking the opposition especially once Kohli leaves for India.
In Kohli’s absence, India will be led by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. Warner, who spoke highly about the 32-year old player, was also vary of the rookie Indian batsmen – one of whom will replace Kohli at No. 4 after the first Test.
“Obviously with Virat missing, and well done to him to go home and be by his partner’s side for the birth of his first child… he’s a great guy, Jinks [Ajinkya Rahane]. He’s calm and very measured in his approach. He’s got a very good cricket brain. When you take Virat out of there, I don’t want to say this the wrong way, but he’s obviously passionate, aggressive, he plays with that fight when you’re out there.
“Jinks is calm, collected, measured. It’s like chalk and cheese with two of them two and as a player to try and engage him on the field, as we’re talking about engaging, and getting into that contest as players, we obviously got to think about how to do that especially with Ajinkya as captain. The great thing from India’s perspective is that you’ve got three if not four very good players who could captain the team at any time. With him, he’ll bring a calm and measured approach with his nature,” Warner mentioned.
