David Warner will not be a part of T20I series against India

David Warner is set to miss the T20I series against India. The Southpaw will not be taking part in the shortest format series following his tiring ODI season from the series against South Africa till the ODI World Cup 2023. Warner played a key role in Australia’s World Cup winning campaign, as he was the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Against Pakistan, Warner scored 164 runs.

In 11 innings in the tournament, Warner scored 535 runs at an average of 48.63. In the initial squad which was announced to face India in the T20I series, Warner found his place. But Cricket Australia decided to rest him following the tiring season he had as a batter. The Australian Cricket Board highlighted the fact that Warner would be playing his last Test series against Pakistan in the Australian summer.

At the start of the year, Warner announced that the series against Pakistan would be his last in the longest format, after which, he would concentrate on limited-overs cricket. Australia wants him to concentrate on the same, to give his best and retire on a high note. A statement by Cricket Australia announced that the selectors wanted Warner to rest after a demanding World Cup campaign.

Aaron Hardie replaces David Warner in the T20I squad

“Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,” claimed the statement of Cricket Australia. In the absence of Warner, Australia called up Aaron Hardie as the replacement for the series against India. The Australian All-rounder can be handy with balance, as the 2021 World T20 champions aim at trying various combinations in the series against India.

Australia is likely to open with Steve Smith in the T20I series against India. Smith had a bad tournament with the bat in the ODI World Cup 2023. But Australia wants him to be prepared for the T20 World Cup 2024. In the Big Bash League, Smith had shined as an opener for Sydney Sixers, scoring runs at a good rate. Australia seems to be aiming to get Smith as their opener, under the new leadership of Matthew Wade.