Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels David Warner’s remark about Shikhar Dhawan not wanting to take strike against fast bowlers was not in good taste.

Earlier this month, Warner had a long interaction with India batsman Rohit Sharma during an Instagram Live session, wherein the Australian shared his experience of opening the batting with Dhawan for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

While chatting, Warner revealed that the Indian southpaw prefers not to face the first ball of the innings when fast bowlers are bowling but wants to take strike if spinners are bowling the first over.

See Also: Shikhar Dhawan reveals why he doesn’t like to take strike first-up while opening

“The only time I remember him (Dhawan) taking the first ball was when Harbhajan was bowling. He always used to say if there is a left-arm fast bowler then ‘you take the strike as I don’t want the incoming delivery,” Warner had said.

Pathan, in an Instagram Live chat with Dhawan, said he didn’t like what the Aussie opener was “trying to say”.

“I disagree with what he said. If I put Warner on a rank turner, even he wouldn’t be comfortable, he might ask Steve Smith to play. There are certain things one shouldn’t say. So I personally didn’t like what he was trying to say,” Irfan said.

“I remember your first ton was against Australia. No matter whether you play against Australia at home or away from home, you have to play their fast bowlers. Talking about Champions Trophy, you faced many fast bowlers and scored runs against them,” he further added.

Dhawan said he does indeed not want to take strike first-up but added that he would not do this if there is an inexperienced opening partner with him.

“I disagree that I intentionally takes singles off the last ball of the over. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but of course I am an opener, so I have to play fast bowlers,” Dhawan told Pathan.

(Inputs from The Indian Express)