Spat forgotten, Shikhar and Warner learn to co-exist
MUMBAI: Just a few months back, during India’s tour of Australia, David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan were hurling abuses at each other. In the IPL so far, it appears the two have learnt to coexist. In fact, the pair has complemented each other on the field so well that the two have now pieced together 511 partnership runs in nine matches, including four 50-plus stands.
Their 130-run stand in the game against KKR earlier in the season also made them the first opening pair to score three 100plus partnerships in IPL history.
On Thursday, the duo once again gave their side a solid start. Putting together a partnership of 48, the effort ensured that the team got off to a positive start and get past the 200 mark resulting in a crucial win for Sunrisers.
With Sunrisers’ middle-order yet to find a stable combination, the duo’s effort up front has been the only saving grace.
At the be ginning of the season, doubts were raised on whether the two could play together after a tense bilateral series. In fact, Warner’s heated argument with Dhawan had been one of the uglier face-offs of the series during the first Test in Adelaide. The umpires and teammates had to step in to separate the two and hefty fines were slapped on them.
At the start of the season, Dhawan who was last season’s captain was replaced by Warner. But after 10 matches, the pair seems to be making hay.
Earlier in the season, Warner had told HT: “Usually when we play in the IPL, we look back and just have a laugh about our past run-ins.” They must have, surely.