The selectors have decided to rest David Warner for the five-match T20 series in India following Australia’s ODI World Cup triumph in Ahmedabad. Warner, Australia’s leading run-scorer with 535 runs in the triumphant campaign, was originally part of the squad to be led by Matthew Wade. The squad for the series, beginning in Visakhapatnam on November 23, was announced last month. All-rounder Aaron Hardie has already joined the squad as Warner’s replacement.
“Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign,” Cricket Australia said in a statement on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Warner hinted that the home series against Pakistan could be the last of his Test career, but remains determined to carry on in the shorter formats. Reacting to a post on social media signaling the southpaw had played his last ODI World Cup, the 37-year-old said on Tuesday, ‘Who said I am finished?’
Warner’s absence from the T20s means that only seven members of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad will remain in India. They are Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
India named their squad on Monday night, and only three players from the World Cup were picked for the T20s, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna. Shreyas Iyer will be available for the last two games in Raipur and Bengaluru.
Australia T20 squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer.
