BGT 2024-25 : Pat Cummins Rules Out David Warner’s Return For India Tests

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Former Australia cricketer David Warner stirred a debate after he offered to come out of retirement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. David Warner announced his retirement from cricket after the Sydney Test against Pakistan in January this year.

After David Warner’s retirement, Steve Smith opened the innings for Australia, but the move did not yield positive results. Smith was later confirmed to bat at his usual No.4 slot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leaving an opener’s slot vacant. David Warner said he is ready to play the next Shield game if Australia need him for the marquee series.

David Warner makes claims too return to test cricket if required for BGT 2024-25

David Warner, who bid adieu to Test cricket cricket earlier this year, stunned everyone with his recent statement on willing to return to Australian whites if the team needs him for BGT. David Warner finished his illustrious Test career with 8786 runs in 112 matches, including 26 centuries and 37 fifties. He also got to play his final match on his home ground – Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). He scored a fifty in his final innings.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia recently lifted David Warner’s leadership ban which was imposed after his involvement in the ball-tampering saga in the Test series against South Africa in 2018.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins shut down the talks of David Warner’s comeback while revealing a recent phone call he had with the former cricketer.

Pat Cummins rules out David Warner’s return for 2024/25 BGT

Australian skipper Pat Cummins ruled out the possibility of ace batter David Warner returning to the side for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against India. Warner retired from Tests after his farewell outing against Pakistan in Sydney at the start of the year. He also walked away from international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup.

However, with the Test side still searching for an opening partner to Usman Khawaja, Warner recently stunned everyone by stating his willingness to return for the India series.

“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone. I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red-ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation. Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play,” said Warner to Code Sports.

However, speaking to the Grade Cricketer, Cummins first made a sarcastic comment before revealing his recent phone call with Warner.

“Dave, we’re very interested. We’re taking it very seriously and we’ll be in touch, mate,” a sarcastic Cummins said.

“I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I can’t remember if he reached out or I did… he’s like, ‘What do you think?’, and I was like, ‘Yeah, good luck with [Sydney] Thunder and I look forward to your comments on Fox!’ he added.

Warner remains Australia’s fifth leading run-scorer in Tests with 8.786 runs at an average of 44.59, including 26 centuries. Meanwhile, the India-Australia five-Test series starts in Perth on November 22.

“We love Davey but he is retired” – Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins felt David Warner’s remarks on being ready to come back for the India series was partly a wind-up.

The 37-year-old played the back half of the last home Test series against India, which Australia lost 1-2.

“I think the truth’s somewhere in the middle. I reckon it is a bit of a wind-up but I reckon he doesn’t mind seeing himself in the back page. We love Davey but he is retired,” said Cummins.

Following Warner’s retirement, Australia tried veteran batter Steve Smith at the top of the order for the next four Tests. However, the move did not go to plan, resulting in them confirming that Smith would bat at his customary No.4 position in the India series.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights


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