David Warner will not play in the upcoming five-match T20I series against India. He is returning to Australia following his team’s World Cup triumph.
Warner, who was Australia’s leading run-scorer (533) in the World Cup campaign, has been withdrawn from the 15-member squad set to face the host nation just four days after the global tournament.
He will be playing in his last Test series against Pakistan. Aaron Hardie has replaced the veteran opener.
“Selectors have decided to withdrawn Warner, who is returning home on the back of a sensational performance in the World Cup,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
Warner wants to continue playing the white-ball cricket. The 37-year-old will not accept the Cricket Australia contract but will be available for next year’s T20 World Cup in the United States and Caribbean and also the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 in Pakistan.
Warner’s withdrawal means seven World Cup-winning squad players will play against the Men in Blue.
Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa will compete in the shortest format.
Australia T20 squad: Matthew Wade (c), Aaron Hardie, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
India T20 squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Shreyas Iyer (last two matches only)