Former India captain Virender Sehwag said that he doesn’t think David Warner should have retired from Test cricket. He also recalls seeing great intent and talent in Warner for Test cricket during their time in IPL 2009.
Notably, Sehwag and Warner played for the same franchise, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL for a couple of years. Warner had just broken into international cricket, having made his Australia T20I debut in 2008 without playing any First-Class match.
Warner was ruthless at the top of the order and showcased his potential in the 7 games that he played during his maiden stint in the IPL. However, a certain Virender Sehwag saw a Test batter in Warner, someone similar to him.
He then made his Test debut in 2011 after playing 2 years of FC cricket. Before that Sehwag talked to Warner during IPL about his potential to succeed in Test cricket as well. Warner was able to understand what Sehwag was telling him despite having not harbored thoughts of red-ball cricket in the past, considering the competition for spots in the Australian cricket team.
"When David Warner came to play for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2009, he'd just made his T20I and ODI debuts. But the way he used to bat and hit the ball, I could see he had all the talent and the control you need in a Test batter. But what happens for a young player like him is that you don't have the confidence that you have the skills to play Test cricket. When I saw him, I was convinced that he would be better in Tests than he even is in T20 cricket," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
I shared this view with him, and he started laughing. He said, 'I am so far away from Test cricket, and in Australia it's so difficult to break into the Test team to start with.' I told him, 'You will enjoy it. It's made for you. In Test cricket, you have a power play throughout the day. In T20 cricket the powerplay only lasts for 20 overs.' He started laughing and said, 'Then I'll certainly enjoy it. Later, he went on to play Tests for Australia and messaged me saying he was so happy that I'd said that to him," he added.
Sehwag has the best strike rate for an opening batter in Tests with a minimum of 2000 runs (83.10). Warner is third on the list with a strike rate of 70.50.
Meanwhile, David Warner is playing his 112th and final Test match, underway at his home ground of SCG, against Pakistan. Before this Test, Warner had 8695 runs in 111 Tests with 26 centuries to his name and a best of 335* at an average of 44.58.
Ahead of the ongoing third and final SCG Test, also Warner’s farewell match, Virender Sehwag said that personally, he thought that Warner shouldn’t have retired from Test cricket.
"I don't think he should retire from Tests based on how he's batting. But as you age and get to 35-36, you start thinking about off-field matters, like your family and your kids. I can't see any issue with his reflexes or fitness owing to age. I think he's mentally decided that he doesn't want to play Tests anymore. I am sure he will continue playing T20 cricket for a long time to come," Sehwag said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan batted first in Sydney and put 313 runs on day one of the Test. In reply, Australia has made 116/2 with Warner being dismissed after scoring 34 runs on day two, which ended early due to rain and bad light.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
