David Warner’s absence
The pugnacious Warner has thrice been the top run-getter in an IPL season, all three times for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and two times as captain. And so his demotion in rank – captaincy was handed over to Kane Williamson – and his eventual relegation to the periphery this season was noticeable.
To be sure, Warner did struggle with the bat, scoring two half-centuries in eight innings, and it did accompany his team’s struggles. Still, it felt the Sunrisers were trying to change too much too soon to get results. Towards the end, Warner was even asked to stay put at the team’s hotel and not accompany the team to the match venue. But if such steps were taken to allow the team to flourish on the field, it didn’t work: Sunrisers finished eighth, with three wins out of 14.
Warner said he was hurt that the club did not explain why he was dropped as captain. The club seems to be strangely quiet on the matter. Will Warner now be discarded by the Sunrisers? Warner says he will be happy to represent Sunrisers next season, and so it seems it is up to the management to decide where he fits in, in the scheme of things.