David Warner’s IPL omission injury-related, with less than a week before T20 World Cup squad selected

His form was questioned after his omission from the Delhi Capitals XI, but it now appears David Warner has also been battling an injury, casting doubt over his T20 World Cup farewell in the United States and the Caribbean. DANIEL CHERNY reports.

David Warner’s omission from his Indian Premier League side was not purely related to form.

The veteran left-hander was left out of the Delhi Capitals XI for the side’s match against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday night after a series of low scores. The Capitals made no public mention of an injury to Warner when announcing their side, leading to the widespread deduction, including from Indian outlets, that the Australian opener’s absence had been purely tactical.

However multiple sources have since indicated that Warner continues to deal with the effects of a finger injury suffered earlier in the tournament and that he could yet be sidelined for several matches.

Warner carrying the drinks last week. Picture: Noah Seelam/AFP

The scare comes less than a week before Australian selectors reveal their squad for June’s Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and US, due to be Warner’s international cricket swan song.

Delhi – coached by Ricky Ponting – is expected to address the issue ahead of its next match against the Mumbai Indians on Saturday night (AEST).

Warner’s Delhi teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk is pressing a case to be included in the Aussie squad after a strong start to his IPL career, with former Test captain Tim Paine this week calling for Fraser-McGuk to be named in the 15-man squad at the expense of wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis.

“It comes down to Inglis or JFM for me and at the moment his form is outrageous,” Paine said.

“His BBL was really good. Can change a game in 10 balls. Superstar with absolute x-factor. Inglis (is) stiff given his 100 in India. (But still a) long international career for him.”