The much-awaited IPL 2020 has just started on Saturday (19th September) evening with the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The IPL 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will start their journey in this tournament on this Monday (21st September) when they will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai). SRH captain David Warner is ready to face Virat Kohli-led RCB.
On Saturday, David Warner faced media for the first time in the IPL 2020 and claimed that they are ready to face the very strong team like RCB in their tournament opener.
Warner said, “They (RCB) have a very strong team. Obviously it is the first game, it will be 50-50. We are looking forward to playing against them.”
Bubble life is very challenging: David Warner
After completing the limited-overs series between England and Australia in England, Warner and 20 other Australia-England combined cricketers landed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on last Thursday (17th September). All of these 21 players underwent a shortened 36-hour quarantine period before beginning their cricket activities in this country. After escaping from one bio-secure bubble in England, Warner has now entered to another bio-secure bubble in the UAE to participate in the IPL 2020.
Warner has admitted that the bubble life is challenging but it is important at the present moment. He also praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and organisers for their incredible work to begin the IPL 2020 despite this current challenging situation.
The SRH captain claimed, “Bubble life is very challenging. It is the hardest thing not to have family with us due to restrictions. But these are unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The BCCI and organisers have done a fantastic job by putting this up. Obviously the next few months will be challenging. In Australia, we can go out and play golf and drive a car. Hopefully, we can do some recreational stuff. But first and the foremost is that the tournament gets going. It makes a difference.”
David Warner on his captaincy return
David Warner has replaced New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson for the captaincy role of the SRH team for the IPL 2020. Last time, Warner led this side in the IPL 2017. Under his leadership, SRH won their only IPL trophy in the 2016 edition. The 33-year-old experienced Aussie cricketer is feeling well to return to the leadership role.
Warner quoted on his captaincy return, “It is always a good feeling and I have been in the team quite a long time. It doesn’t matter who leads and we have got experienced players in Bhuvi, Kane, Jonny, Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey etc. They have played a lot of cricket. We have a great bond.”
Warner has led SRH in 45 IPL matches where his team won 26 games and lost 19 matches.
In the IPL 2019, Warner and English cricketer Jonny Bairstow opened for SRH and dominated that tournament with some great partnerships. They put four century partnerships and three more half-century partnerships in that tournament. Warner is looking forward to continue the strong cricket with Bairstow as the opening partner in the IPL 2020.
The SRH captain said, “It’s good to play alongside him. We know each other’s game well. We have a good understanding like I have with Finchy for Australia. Looking forward to another good partnership with him.”
Trevor Bayliss, the English World Cup-winning Head Coach in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and two-time IPL winning coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is currently the Head Coach of SRH. Warner lauded the Australian cricket coach.
Warner said about Bayliss, “His record speaks for itself. He is very chilled and gives a sense of relaxed environment. He makes sure we make good as players.”