DEBASHIS SARANGI ∙ 6 May 2022
'He partied more than practicing or playing matches': Virender Sehwag on David Warner
David Warner is regarded as one of the finest openers of this generation. But as we all know, controversy has always been part and parcel of the dashing Australian batsman's career. The southpaw is infamous for his several off-field incidents, one of which was recently revealed by the legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Before the start of the IPL encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on Thursday, Sehwag addressed that Warner preferred partying and used to neglect the practice sessions during his stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2009. As per Sehwag, Warner's indiscipline frustrated him as he was the side's skipper. "I too have vented out my frustrations on a couple of players and David Warner was one of them. Because when he had joined newly, he partied more than believing in practice or playing matches", Sehwag said during a show on Cricbuzz. The 'Nawab of Najafgarh' also disclosed that Warner had indulged in fight with some of his teammates during IPL 2009, which led to the southpaw's axing from the team in the latter stage of the tournament. According to the ex-Indian cricketer, this move was meant to teach Warner a lesson and it also didn't backfire the team as they continued winning matches even in the absence of Warner. "In the first year, he had a fight with a few players so we sent him back for the last two matches. Sometimes it happens that you keep someone out to teach him a lesson. He was new, so it was important to show him that you alone are not important for the team, others are too. There are other players who can play and win the match for the team. And that's what happened. We kept him out of the team and won as well," the 43-year-old concluded.
