David Warner might carry some grudges while coming out to bat against SRH: Piyush Chawla

Eyes will be on David Warner, as Delhi Capitals take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 50 of IPL 2022 on Thursday (May 5). Warner, who was associated with SRH from 2014 to 2021, parted ways with the franchise on a sour note last year. He was sacked as captain midway through the tournament and was even dropped from the playing XI. In the latter stages of the tournament, the southpaw didn’t even find a place in the side’s dug-out.

Unsurprisingly, SRH didn’t retain him and DC bagged his services in the auction event. Notably, Warner has been in red-hot form this season, scoring 264 runs in seven outings including three half-centuries. Hence, he would be determined to make a mark against his former franchise. Veteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla reckons Warner might carry some grudges when he takes the field against the Orange Army.

David Warner took SRH to glory in IPL 2016

“It will be exciting because the way things panned out the last time, he might carry some grudges while coming out to bat,” Chawla said on ESPNcricinfo’s Timeout. One of the most consistent batters in IPL history, Warner has piled up a plethora of runs for SRH and won the “Orange Cap as many as three times, the most for any player in the tournament’s history.

He even took the side to their maiden title in 2016. Hence, the SRH management faced heavy backlash, for their treatment towards Warner in the last season. Notably, the southpaw found his lost form back after IPL 2021 and played an instrumental role in Australia’s triumph in the T20 World Cup last year. As he has been among the runs this season as well, SRH bowlers must beware of him.

Meanwhile, Chawla also gave his take on DC skipper Rishabh Pant’s issues against the fast bowlers, saying the wicketkeeper-batter needs to cut down some shots. “We want the old Rishabh Pant, but with a new style. If it’s in the slot, it has to be hit big. It’s T20 cricket, and it’s not possible to score runs unless the batters back themselves. Pant may want to avoid the shots he plays out of the blue,” stated the 33-year-old.