Xtra Time Web Desk: Star Australian batsman David Warner on Monday said he will not indulge himself into on field chatter with the Indian players during the upcoming series which gets underway on November 27 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The swashbuckling opener said he may adopt a different approach and keep his emotions in check.
He also hinted that the Australians might re-consider their strategy once Virat Kohli leaves back to India after the first test match to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
On being asked how he will react if Indian players engage themselves with him trying to discturb his concentration in the middle, Warner said, “I’ll always draw from that, mate. To try and get engaged, that’s the way they like to play as well. We saw that last time when we toured India. They really engaged us like that. We’re learning over time and trying not to engage in that. Probably try and reverse the effect by trying and ignoring it, trying to take it on board and using it against them by using your bat. It’s probably something I’ve learnt over time. And you don’t know the effect it can have on your team-mates as well. You’ve got to be a bit more humble in that respect.
While Kohli will not be available for the last three Tests, India will be without Rohit Sharma for the white-ball leg. Sharma is currently recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered during IPL 2020 and has been included only in the Test squad. Warner believes Sharma’s absence is a big loss for the visitors, but at the same time, he also thinks the visitors have got enough in-form replacements.
“He’s a big piece of their team they’re going to be missing, but they’ve got great in-form guys, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank [Agarwal],” Warner said.
He further added, “These guys played in the IPL, so you’ve got guys in good touch and great talent and depth in Indian cricket to take that position of Rohit. He’s a big hole in their team up the top, but you’ve got guys who can replace him who are in form that will do a good enough job, if not better, as we saw in India.”