Terrifying, upsetting to see Covid-19 situation in India: Warner

Australia opening batsman David Warner said it was terrifying to see the Covid-19 situation in India, with many people lining up to get their loved ones cremated. Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, before handing over the reins to Kane Williamson, just before the tournament was suspended. SRH had managed to win just one of their seven matches.

"I think it would really hit home when everyone saw that piece on TV about what was happening in India with the oxygen," Warner, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, said on Nova's Fitzy and Wippa program.

"People on the streets lining up to cremate their family numbers, we did see that a couple of times going to and from the grounds. Yeah, open fields and stuff, you know it was terrifying. It was just really upsetting."

Warner agreed with the decision to call off the IPL after multiple bio-secure bubble breaches.

"From a humanitarian point of view, I think the right decision was made. It got into the bubble which was obviously going to be a challenge when we started moving, so getting on and off aircrafts, but look they did their best to try and put it on there and we know in India that everyone loves cricket," Warner, the highest overseas run-getter in IPL said.

"It was challenging, we had to get out of there ASAP," he added.

The BCCI recently announced the IPL will now be played in the September-October window in the UAE. The availability of many overseas players still remains in doubt.