IPL 2019 | David Warner had promised Tom Moody 500 runs this season, VVS Laxman

IPL 2019 | David Warner had promised Tom Moody 500 runs this season, VVS Laxman

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VVS Laxman has stated that David Warner had promised Tom Moody to score at least 500 runs in IPL 2019 and he lived up to his promise. Laxman has also praised the former Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper’s tremendous mental resolve while reserving special praise for his wife Candice Warner.

The year gone by wasn’t easy for David Warner after the Newlands' sandpapergate scandal. While forgiveness for Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft were at full flow following an emotionally charged press conferences, Warner was at the centre of media with reports even emerging that the Australian players were not in favour of his reintroduction to the team set-up. 

An elbow injury further aggravated the case and Warner found himself at crossroads. However, leaving everything aside, the New South Wales man made it an IPL to remember and ended as the highest run-scorer in the league phase. VVS Laxman praised his mental resolve while revealing that the former skipper, who led the team to the title in 2016, had promised 500 runs this season.

"We were in the middle of a shoot in Hyderabad when Davey messaged head coach Tom Moody, promising us 500 runs for the season. It was no empty boast. It's one thing to set goals, but the determined manner in which Davey chased it down was wonderful to watch. When the schedule was out, we all knew that he would be available for 12 games. He eventually signed off with 692 runs, one of the main reasons why we are in with a shot at the playoffs,” Laxman wrote in a column in TOI. 

"What can I say about Warner? He has had a turbulent year or so, made worse by an elbow injury and we were a little apprehensive at the start of the season that he might be a bit rusty," Laxman said. "But Davey was truly outstanding... Davey is fortunate that he has tremendous mental resolve, and in his wife Candice, a very strong support system.

Even as Sunrisers Hyderabad are best placed to qualify for the play-offs alongside Mumbai Indians thanks to their superior net run rate, they will miss the services of two of their top two run-getters - Jonny Bairstow and Warner. While the number of runs are staggering to take notice, the 143.86 strike rate added to the team’s cause and despite a faltering middle-order, they didn’t have to face a lot of problems. Laxman has praised stating it added to his appeal.

"The people of Hyderabad love him. It's no mean feat to score 500 runs in a season five times in a row. Credit to Davey for not just doing so, but scoring at a breakneck pace. To fuse consistency with a high strike-rate speaks volumes of David Warner's skills," Laxman concluded.

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