Star opener David Warner could be on ice until T20 World Cup with hand injury

David Warner’s T20 World Cup preparations have copped a significant blow with confirmation the star opener has been dealing with a hand injury, leaving him in doubt until the eve of the tournament.

David Warner could be put on ice until Australia’s World Cup warm-up games, as the star opener battles bone bruising on his left hand.

There was initial confusion over why Warner had been left out of the Delhi Capitals XI, but team boss Sourav Ganguly confirmed the 37-year-old has been sidelined with injury and not dropped.

“Both David Warner and Ishant Sharma are injured and are unavailable for (Saturday’s) game,” Ganguly said.

At this stage Australia is still expecting Warner may feature in the back end of the Indian Premier League, with Delhi back in the hunt for a playoffs berth.

However, it’s understood Warner is currently unable to hold or grip his bat, so painful is the deep bruising to his bottom hand.

Warner had injured his left thumb earlier this month and although the x-ray came back clear, The Times of India has reported he has been dealing with extensive swelling “around the knuckle area on the left hand.”

David Warner is battling a hand injury. Picture: Getty Images

There seems to be a feeling now amongst Delhi staff that Warner was returned to action too early and needs more time to rest.

If Warner’s hand doesn’t improve over the coming week or two, it’s possible he may play no further part in the IPL and pour his energy into recuperating for Australia’s World Cup campaign – and his final tournament in international cricket.

The World Cup starts in the West Indies and USA in early June, and Australia will play a couple of warm-up matches in the Caribbean in the lead-up.

It’s expected Australia’s World Cup squad will be named this week, with selectors already pretty settled on the make-up of its final 15.

Australia bombed out in the most recent T20 World Cup in 2022, but if they can rise and win this year’s edition they will hold every major ICC trophy and cement a rare legacy in international cricket.

Originally published as Star opener David Warner could be on ice until T20 World Cup with hand injury