One Year Since Ball-Tampering Row, Warner Makes Grand IPL Return

On Sunday, David Warner also became highest scorer against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL with 761 runs.

David Warner reached his fifty off 31 balls and his innings of 85 comprised 9 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 160.38.

(Photo: BCCI/IPL)

Making his comeback in IPL cricket after a gap of a year, Sunrisers Hyderabad opener David Warner started his IPL campaign this season with a handsome 85 off 53 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata.

Warner, along with English cricketer Jonny Bairstow, put Sunrisers off to a great start. The Hyderabad outfit got past the 100-run mark in the 11 th over. Warner reached his fifty off 31 balls. His innings of 85 comprised 9 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 160.38.

Warner took the Knight Riders’ bowlers to the cleaners before he was caught at covers by Robin Uthappa off Andre Russell’s delivery. In the process, Warner also became highest scorer against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL with 761 runs.

On Sunday, Warner also became highest scorer against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL with 761 runs.(Photo: BCCI/IPL)

Warner was banned along with former Australian skipper Steve Smith after their infamous involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in the Cape Town Test match against South Africa in March 2018.

The duo were handed a 12-month ban by Cricket Australia after the Test series was over. Their bans will come to an end on March 29 after which they will be available for World Cup 2019 selection as well.

Before making a comeback in the IPL, Warner and Smith played some domestic cricket in Australia and also played the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Bangladesh Premier League as well (BPL).

During the build -up to the IPL 2019 , cricket experts spoke about how crucial Warner would be to his team’s chances to winning the title this year and he has proved his importance in the very first match.

Warner won the orange cap in IPL 2015 and 2017 and has started well and has put in a case of winning it this year as well. Having helped SRH win the title in 2016, Warner’s progress in the tournament will be keenly followed.