In a shocking move, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad sacked their incumbent skipper David Warner for the remainder of the tournament. While it may seem like the franchise dropped Warner in the wake of a poor run, but it seems more than that. The Aussie batsman had to pay the price for showing dissent against the Hyderabad management.
Sunrisers Hyderabad management indicated that there will be changes in the overseas combinations in the statement where they named Kane Williamson as their skipper for the remaining season. Thus, it is quite evident that David Warner is likely to face the axe. Although he has scored two half-centuries, Warner appeared a very frustrated figure while he batted unhappy with both his timing and the way he kept finding the fielders instead of the gaps.
Warner, who led the side when they won the title in 2016 has been their highest run-scorer in the last few seasons. The southpaw’s run-scoring tally reads – 410, 528, 562, 848, 641, 692, and 541 from 2013 to 2020 respectively excluding 2018 where he missed the entire season due to a ban. However, he has been far from his usual form. While the combined result of his failure with the bat and as a leader has perhaps urged the management to take the strict call, there might just be a tad more to it.
David Warner pay price for showing dissent
Incidentally, the cash-rich league and the franchisees seem to function in an autocratic manner. Previously, we have seen the Chennai Super Kings suspend their team doctor Madhu Thottappillil for a tweet on social media which according to the franchise was anti-India. The doctor’s tweet appeared to take a dig at the central government’s PM CARES fund in the wake of the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan region.
More recently, Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Dan Christian was issued a notice for breaching the ‘strict’ contract by appearing in a chat show. Incidentally, the veteran all-rounder made a couple of funny dressing room revelations during a chat with New Zealand all-rounder and Bangalore teammate Kyle Jamieson for ‘The Grade Cricketer.’
Similarly, it looks like David Warner had to pay the price for speaking against the Sunrisers Hyderabad management. The New South Wales-born cricketer openly criticised the decision to drop Manish Pandey from the playing XI against Delhi Capitals. The management brought in young Virat Singh, who also failed to showcase his calibre against a world-class bowling attack. Although Warner didn’t mention any name, his comments were more or less directed at head coach Tom Moody, assistant coach Trevor Bayliss, fielding coach Brad Haddin, and team mentor VVS Laxman.
“It was a harsh call in my opinion. But at the end of the day, it is a decision of the selectors to do that,” he said after the Super Over loss against Delhi Capitals.
Moreover, David Warner also looked unsettled during the post-match press conference against Chennai Super Kings quite unnatural to his behaviour. Although he tried to fill the gap, but it was quite evident there was clear miscommunication between the former skipper and the management.
As a result, David Warner might had to pay the price and now, his participation in the upcoming games look in jeopardy. Although the Sunrisers Hyderabad management mentioned that Warner will continue to contribute both on and off the field, it looks they have had a fall out with the dazzling opener. England batter Jason Roy, who has been warming the bench so far in IPL 2021, might pair up with national teammate Jonny Bairstow with newly-appointed skipper Kane Williamson batting at one drop against Rajasthan Royals.
Williamson had captained the Sunrisers in the 2018 season when Warner was barred from the IPL for his involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. He finished as the highest run-scorer with 735 runs under his belt from 17 matches and led the team to its second IPL final, but lost to Chennai Super Kings. So far, the Kiwi master has led Hyderabad in 26 ties winning 14 of those.
It remains to be seen if Kane Williamson’s appointment brings the desired result for the Orange Army and David Warner’s future in the franchise considering the teams are going for a mega auction ahead of the next season.
