David Warner’s suspension resulted in favor of Sri Lanka’s Kusal Janith Perera who was offered a lucrative Indian Premier League contract from the Sunrises Hyderabad. Kusal decided against joining the franchise in order to feature in Sri Lanka’s domestic first-class tournament to regain his Test spot.
Why was Warner suspended from the IPL?
Aussie skipper Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were found guilty of ball tampering in the 3rd Test against South Africa last month. The International Cricket Council was a little lenient but Cricket Australia banned Warner and Smith for a year, Bancroft for nine months from all formats of the game.
Warner apologized on Saturday, saying he took “full responsibility for my part in what happened”. He was also unsure if he’d play for his country again.
The BCCI also suspended Smith and Warner from the IPL immediately after the decision made by Cricket Australia.
Kusal Janith Perera’s IPL offer
As David Warner’s replacement, in form batsman, Kusal Janith Perera was approached by the Sunrises Hyderabad last week.
“Yes, we have approached Kusal Perera as a replacement for Warner. Like Warner, he is also a devastating batsman and our analyst informed us that he has been in tremendous form in last few months. Though nothing has finalized as yet, we are hopeful Perera will join our squad,” said a Sunrises Hyderabad official. (Cricket Age)
However, he rejected the offer to play in Sri Lanka’s domestic four day Test tournament to fight for a place in the Test Squad.
(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
The 27-year-old has done an outstanding job on top of the order after returning from injury.
“He was very excited by the offer. But he wants to win back his place in the national side. So he is keen to play in the Super Fours Provincial Tournament and prove himself,” said his manager Ravi De Silva (Sunday Times).
Sri Lanka will begin their training for the West Indies tour in the first week of May.
