David Warner has matured, insists VVS

The Wankhede Stadium can expect some fireworks not just with the bat and ball, but off the lips too as tempers could fly when Rohit Sharma leads the Mumbai Indians against David Warner's SunRisers Hyderabad on Saturday

The Wankhede Stadium can expect some fireworks not just with the bat and ball, but off the lips too as tempers could fly when Rohit Sharma leads the Mumbai Indians against David Warner’s SunRisers Hyderabad on Saturday.

David Warner trains at Wankhede yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK

Earlier this year, Warner and Sharma were involved in an ugly 'speak English' spat during the a tri-series match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January. Warner was docked 50 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council following the incident. The confrontation took place in the 23rd over after Sharma took a run off an overthrow, and Warner, thinking it came off a deflection, confronted the India opener. Sharma, reportedly replied in Hindi to which Warner told him to speak in English. The replays showed that there was no deflection. Later, Warner admitted he was wrong to take on Sharma. It may be recalled that Warner kept sledging the Indian team during the preceding four-Test series too.

However, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s team mentor VVS Laxman said Warner has matured over time. “He has been very good as a captain and as a leader, he’s got immense respect within the team. Over the last couple of years, as a person, I believe, he has become more matured and has been handling himself and some tough situations remarkably well. If you saw in the two games we lost, both were close games and he was very cool; he didn’t get rattled or agitated. When he came into the dressing room, he never showed any agitation at all. He was the same. I’m sure he’s taking this as an opportunity to improve his leadership skills,” India’s legendary Test batsman said yesterday.

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