For 17 years on end now, the IPL has been the pinnacle of T20 cricket, enticing cricketers from all across the globe to take part in the biggest spectacle of the shorter format of cricket. But, has the experience gained over the years by the foreign players helped them understand Indian conditions better over time?
Well, Australian opener and 2023 ODI WC winner David Warner disclosed how the experience that players like himself gathered over the years playing IPL cricket in the subcontinent came in clutch for them during their successful campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
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“It definitely helps being part of the IPL and practicing on the wickets. Whether it’s Test or white-ball cricket, you understand the ground, and pitches, the type of soil and when the ball may turn. You get that great understanding,’ stated Warner in talks with Ravichandran Ashwin on the Youtube talk show ‘Kutty Stories with Ash’.
Warner, who has been a part of the IPL for over 14 seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals so far, made mention of how the 2023 WC final, which took place between India and Australia, being played in Ahmedabad actually proved to be a blessing in disguise as both teams possessed more or less the same level of understanding of the pitch.
“It’s definitely a second home and I recall us speaking about it before the World Cup Final. The venue had only been played a couple of times by both teams, so you’re almost playing on an even playing field, minus the 100,000 sea of blue in the stands,” recalled Warner.
“I think when you have played for a long time and you also have a big group of players who have played for a long time, you sort of negate all of that. I think we also embraced the fact that we don’t have anything to lose. We are fortunate that since 2009, we have understood the wickets and venues here.”
The Aussie openers also stated how the similariteis that the stadium in Ahmedabad held to the acclaimed MCG back in Australia helped the visitors plan accordingly and attack the Indian team in the final successfully.
“But, Ahmedabad was the one where the boundaries were similar to Australia, they were bigger. So, our gameplan was structured around the MCG: hit the pockets and run the twos… So, for us it was like an Australian gameplan inside India. So, that’s how we thought about it all and attacked the situation,” stated Warner.
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