Decision to drop David Warner from SRH was not a 'cricket decision': Brad Haddin

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) assistant coach Brad Haddin has revealed that the decision to drop David Warner from the XI was not a cricket decision. Warner, who had an underwhelming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, but slammed 289 runs in the T20 World Cup 2021, including a half-century in the final against New Zealand to help Australia to their maiden title in the shortest format.

"I tell you what it was not a cricket decision that he was not playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad," Haddin said on the Grade Cricketers Podcast.

"I think the one thing you have to realise with David is that he was not out of form, he was out of match practice. They had a long break, he did not go to Bangladesh or West Indies. But he turned up in really good headspace. He was hitting the ball well, circumstances were out of our control, even the coaching staff," he added.

According to Haddin, all Warner needed to do was spend some time in the middle to get his rhythm back. "All he needed was some match time, he was hitting the ball well. He just needed to spend some time in the middle to get the rhythm again. As the tournament went on, you have seen his class. He got a bit of rhythm back into his game and he was good to watch," the former Australia wicketkeeper said.

Warner was also sacked as SRH captain in the middle of the tournament, with Kane Williamson taking over the reins. SRH finished bottom of the table, picking up just three wins from 14 matches in IPL 2021.