By Amlan Chakraborty
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Australia’s David Warner endured a bruising day, mentally as well as physically, in the second test against India on Friday but team mate Usman Khawaja has no doubts his opening partner would regain his mojo soon.
Warner declared himself “exhausted” even before arriving in India and managed scores of one and 10 in Nagpur where Australia succumbed to an innings defeat inside three days.
In Delhi on Friday, Warner took 21 balls to get off the mark, was hit on the elbow and helmet by Mohammed Siraj before Mohammed Shami put his 44-ball struggle to an end by getting him caught behind.
Warner now has 26 runs from three innings and he stayed off the field during the nine overs India batted on Friday.
“He is a little bit weary at the moment,” Khawaja, whose 81 was the top score in Australia’s below-par first-innings 263, told reporters.
“He obviously got a knock to the arm and then to the head, and the head has made him a little bit weary at the moment and hence why he didn’t come out to field.
“I think the medical staff will have to figure out what happens from here on in.”
Warner has built a formidable reputation as a pugnacious all-format opener with over 17,000 international runs, which include 45 hundreds.
The 36-year-old has looked rather uncertain in his footwork and timid in his approach in India with former Australia captain Allan Border among those wondering how long Australia would keep patience with Warner.
Khawaja denied Warner had retreated into a defensive shell.
“Three innings is not enough for me. I think there’s still a long way to go in this test series,” Khawaja said.
“I’m looking forward to what may happen. Dave has been such a terrific player for such a long time. Every time his back is against the wall, he produces something. So we’ll see.”
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
