David Warner who last played in the fourth Test between India and Australia, recently while doing commentary for the first T20I between Australia and New Zealand said that it will take six to nine months for the complete rehabilitation of his groin injury. He said that it aggravated a bit and there will be effects of the groin on his batting and running between the wickets.
David Warner was named in the Australian squad for the South Africa test series which got postponed but he is supposed to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 14th season of the IPL which starts in April. Warner has been their mainstay over the last five years as he has scored runs consistently for his franchise. It will be a huge blow for the SRH side if he is ruled out of the IPL and they would need to look at replacements. So, let’s have a look at five players who could replace David Warner if he is ruled out.
5. Evin Lewis
The explosive West Indian opening batsman – Evin Lewis has been a part of the IPL in 2018 and 2019. Lewis who is a left-handed opening batsman played a couple of seasons for Mumbai Indians. He didn’t have a significant impact in the IPL but he played a couple of good knocks for MI.
Lewis is a great T20 player and his style is pretty similar to David Warner who likes to be aggressive. Lewis likes to deal in fours and sixes and if he stays at the crease for a long time, he can score big. Evin Lewis from West Indies could be a good option for the Australian opener.
4. Jason Roy
Jason Roy from England went unsold in this year’s auction. Roy is a dynamic player and likes to take on the bowlers from the word go. Roy has been a part of the IPL previously but he has never got opportunities on a consistent basis. He has been in and out of the Delhi Capitals side which didn’t help him.
Roy could be a great replacement option because the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad – Trevor Bayliss has been the England coach and he has worked with him. Not only that but he could also open with his England partner Jonny Bairstow and they can form a great partnership at the top. Roy for Warner could be an ideal replacement for SRH.
3. Alex Hales
Another England opener who can be an option is Alex Hales. Hales hasn’t been part of the England side due to various reasons but he can definitely be part of the SRH side in the upcoming IPL. Hales was in great form in the Big Bash League as he was the leading run-scorer in the tournament.
In fact, Hales was part of the SRH squad in 2019 when David Warner wasn’t part of the IPL due to his ball-tampering ban. He had done pretty well for the SRH side and he can do it once again if required. SRH could think of Alex Hales as a replacement for David Warner.
2. Aaron Finch
Sunrisers Hyderabad has the option of replacing one Australian opener with another as Warner’s batting partner – Aaron Finch went unsold in this year’s auction. Even though Aaron Finch is not in great form he is a great T20 player and at some point, he will come good.
Finch has been the captain of Australia and his BBL team so he could also be a part of the leadership group if required. Finch said that he would like to be a part of the IPL and he won’t be a bad option to replace David Warner.
1. Devon Conway
Devon Conway from New Zealand has been in great form and he should be the front-runner to replace David Warner if required. The Kiwi left-hander has scored five consecutive 50+ scores in the shortest format including a match-winning 99* against Australia in the first T20I.
Kane Williamson who is the New Zealand skipper will be the captain of the SRH side if Warner is not fit and Conway has played under Williamson so it could work perfectly for SRH. Conway being an attacking left-handed batsman could be a great replacement for David Warner in the IPL.
