Former India opener Virender Sehwag opined that David Warner shouldn’t have taken his retirement given he struck a brilliant century recently against Pakistan.
The 37-year-old Warner had earlier confirmed that the third Test of the ongoing series against Pakistan, at his home ground in Sydney, would be his last Test match.
He had come into the series with ordinary form in Test cricket, which led to the likes of Mitchell Johnson questioning his place in the Test side and slamming the selectors for picking Warner. However, the left-handed opener struck a terrific century in the first Test against Pakistan in Perth to shut down all critics and doubters.
I think David Warner has mentally decided that he doesn’t want to play Tests anymore: Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag, who played with Warner during their time together at the Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2009 before Warner had even started playing first-class cricket in 2009, was the one who instilled belief in the Aussie that he could ace Test cricket too.
Speaking with Cricbuzz, Sehwag said that though he is surprised that Warner is retiring, he admitted that age may have caught up with him and his reflexes, not to mention the desire to spend more quality time with his family, which includes three young girls.
Virender Sehwag said: Just look at his last century against Pakistan. It was a big hundred. Basically, after a certain age, if you maintain your body and mind the way they should be, you can get through those natural changes. I agree that your eye-sight and reflexes can slow down, but you can work on them. David is such a fit guy.
“I personally don’t think he should retire from Tests based on the way he’s batting. But as you age and get to 35-36, you start thinking about off-field matters, like your family and your kids. I can’t see any issue with his reflexes or fitness owing to age. I think he’s mentally decided that he doesn’t want to play Tests anymore.
“I am sure he will continue playing T20 cricket for a long time to come,” Sehwag added.
David Warner with his daughters in his final Test.
– Picture of the day ⭐ pic.twitter.com/DzmruiQ7CO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2024
