IPL 2019: David Warner reveals how nervous he was before his IPL comeback against KKR

Warner played a fantastic innings of 85 on his comeback in the Indian Premier League.

David Warner | IANS

Sunrisers Hyderabad opener David Warner played a scintillating 85-run knock off 53 balls in his comeback IPL game on Sunday (March 24) against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). 

It didn't feel watching from outside that the veteran Australian left-hander was away from top-flight cricket for the last 12 months. But Warner himself admitted how anxious he felt coming into this encounter at the Eden Gardens. 

"It was good to get back in there and contribute to the team," he told Star Sports. "I'm pretty chirpy in the change room but I didn't really say much (because of nervousness). I kept drinking pickle juice."

Warner was suspended for his proven involvement in the ball-tampering saga by Cricket Australia (CA). He had to also miss the IPL last year as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) barred him, and Steve Smith, from taking any part in the blockbuster T20 event. 

 

The 32-year-old did feature across a few leagues, though, but then suffered an untimely elbow injury while playing in Bangladesh. 

"The elbow injury is not too bad," he added. "When you haven't lost a wicket, it's easier to free your arms and take on their (KKR's) spinners. We put pressure on their spinners and made their quicks come back."

Warner's magnificent effort was acknowledged by cricket experts on Twitter as well, with a few noticeable words of praise lined up here. 

 

KKR later won the match as Andre Russell played an astonishing counter-attacking knock. But Warner's innings would not be forgotten either. 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 25 Mar, 2019

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