Veteran Australia opener David Warner has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India due to a hairline fracture on his elbow.
The southpaw sustained two injuries within minutes of each other during the second Test in Delhi. A Mohammad Siraj ball hit Warner on his elbow, which resulted in a hairline fracture before a concussion led to him being replaced by Matthew Renshaw.
In a statement, Cricket Australia on Tuesday (February 21) confirmed that Warner has flown home and will undergo rehabilitation. He is expected to return for the three-match ODI series against India, slated to be played from March 17 to 22.
While Warner’s absence is being seen as a major blow to the Australian side, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra doesn’t feel the same.
According to Chopra, the touring team will not be weakened by Warner's absence given his poor record in India.
"David Warner has gone back. He got injured in his arm and couldn't play the last match (second innings) due to a concussion. They are saying it is a minor fracture and he is now not available for the third and fourth Tests. Does the opposition team become weak because of that?"
"It feels slightly odd to say that the team won't become weaker despite Warner not being there. But the numbers we have seen from him in India, his situation in front of Ashwin and considering the kind of confidence he had, it seems it will not make any difference to the opposition team," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
During the first two Tests, David Warner registered scores of 1, 10 and 15 in the three innings that he batted and looked far from being comfortable against the spinners.
While some reports suggest that Warner is reaching the end of his career, Aakash Chopra feels Warner might play against India once again in the World Test Championship final
"He has gone and I was reading somewhere, it could be wrong or it could be right, but there was an opinion that he is already in the twilight of his Test career and we don't know how much longer we will see him play."
"That will be an interesting one but this Border-Gavaskar Trophy is over for him. The two teams might play each other in the (World Test Championship) final - there is a possibility. Pat Cummins has also gone back but he will be back for the third Test match is what I have heard," said Chopra.
Having lost the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi, Australia have already conceded an unbeatable 2-0 lead to India in the four-match series. Indore is due to host the third Test from March 1.
