David Warner’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) looks bleak, given his string of poor performances in the current season of the tournament. David Warner was dropped from DC’s crucial tie against LSG on Tuesday, signaling that another team was nearly done and dusted with the opener.
David Warner will be a part of Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup – perhaps his last big event before he calls it quits in the shortest format of the game. Warner will be keen to end his International career on a high note after winning 2nd ICC T20 World Cup tournament, already he has won ODI WC twice in 2015 & 2023 and ICC WTC 2021-23 and is a part of an elite group.
All but over for David Warner in IPL ?
In 8 games, David Warner has managed to score only 168 runs at a strike rate of 134.40. The southpaw lost his place to fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk, who went on to outshine the former with his blazing knocks. David Warner has scores of 29, 49, 52, 18, 10. 8, 1, 1. He last played against RCB on May 12 where he flopped yet again and departed after scoring just one run.
With a mega auction coming up ahead of IPL 2025, it is highly unlikely for either DC to retain David Warner or for any other team to make a bid for the Australian opener. David Warner moved on to DC after parting ways with SRH ahead of IPL 2023. His exit shocked everyone, especially if you consider that out of the 10 captains the franchise has had, David Warner remains the only one to have a title under his belt and has the highest number of match wins.
Veteran Australia batter David Warner is arguably one of the greatest ever players to feature in the Indian Premier League. He holds multiple records to his name and won the trophy as captain in 2016. However, the last few years haven’t been as pleasant for him. In 2023, under his leadership, Delhi Capitals failed to qualify for the playoffs while in 2024, David Warner failed to make the most of the opportunities and was eventually dropped from the playing XI.
Despite that, former cricketer Aaron Finch expects Warner to feature in the IPL next year. He believes that franchises would like to have an experienced player like him, who can not just contribute with the bat but can also groom youngsters.
I would not say that this was David Warner’s last IPL game- Aaron Finch
Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch shares a great camaraderie with David Warner having opened together for their country for several years. He believes Warner has enough potential to get picked up by an IPL team in next season’s auction even if Delhi Capitals (DC) release him.
David Warner has scored just 168 runs in eight games in IPL 2024 and also found himself left out of DC’s final league game despite being available for selection.
However, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Aaron Finch explained how David Warner’s exploits in the IPL and his experience around youth could be a massive factor in him getting picked up at the potential IPL 2025 mega auction. He said:
“A big auction is coming up next time (this year-end). I think there would be a team that would love to have his (Warner’s) experience, be it in playing eleven, or as a replacement or as someone to nurture younger talent. I would not say it is his last IPL game, but he has had a poor season,”
Young explosive opener and David Warner’s compatriot Jake Fraser-McGurk proved to be arguably DC’s best player in IPL 2024. The veteran southpaw managed to keep his place in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad despite Fraser-McGurk’s X-factor and the debate around his selection.
David Warner could get picked up at the auction- Michael Clarke
Warner’s former teammate Michael Clarke added that the southpaw may not fetch a lot of money like he used to as he is not performing at his best but expects the franchises to understand the value Warner brings.
“He could get picked up at the auction, he just might not get the money he is used to. He is at that stage of his career when he is not performing at his absolute best and you cannot expect the same money. I would not be surprised if he is not picked up,” Clarke said.
Notably, the 37-year-old has played eight matches in the ongoing IPL and has made 168 runs at a strike rate of 134.40. He suffered a finger injury, which kept the opener out for some time but even when he got fit, David Warner couldn’t fix his place in the playing XI as his fellow countrymen Jake Fraser-McGurk was Delhi’s first choice.