David Warner delivers warning to India batters ahead of challenging AUS tour: 'I’d be nervous...'

Warner couldn't stop singing praises for New Zealand. The Kiwis achieved a series of remarkable feats by becoming the first team since 2012 to defeat India in a Test series on their home turf, putting an end to India's unparalleled 18-series winning streak. Not only did they accomplish this rare feat, but they also became the first team since 2000 to whitewash India in a Test series at home, as well as being the first visiting team to win every match in a three-match Test series in India. This historic victory marked New Zealand's first-ever Test series win in India, a milestone that had not been achieved since 1988.

"I look back at that first Test that they played and they took some amazing catches and that sets the tone. If you are taking catches like that and you get that upper hand and you lead the series one-nil, it’s big. I know how tough it is to win over there. What they’ve just done is absolutely outstanding, and credit to them," Warner said on-air during the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne on November 4.

For India, the embarrassing whitewash threw their road to a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final off track. Moreover, it came right before they embark on a five-match Test tour of Australia starting on November 22. “And it helps the Australian guys. They’re coming out here after being beaten at home three-nil for five Tests against the Australian boys, (who have) three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and I’d be nervous if I’m in that batting order. I would be nervous,” he said.

Warner, who retired from international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup, however said that Australia will have to be at their best to beat India who remain a formidable side. While Australia have defeated India in the final of the 2023 World Cup and the 2023 WTC Final in the recent past, they haven't won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a decade. In this time, Australia have beaten twice at home by India and hardly ever came close to reversing that result on tour.

“The Australian top order needs to make runs. They’ve got Mohammed Shami, who’s currently on the road to recovery with the knee - he potentially could be out here with the team - (and) you have... (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Siraj who are their spearheads," Warner said.

“I think if Australia can get through those two gentlemen, there could be some big runs put on the board. But … we’re going to have to come out with our chest out against India. We have lost our last two series here against India (and) they have got a lot to play for."

Warner also said that senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom were woefully out of form against New Zealand, will be looking to score big. They've got some older guys in their team. I know the Australian cricket team have got a lot over 30 (as well) but you have got Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja, you got these guys there who are in the back end of their careers as well, so there's a lot to play for there as well, and whether or not they finish their careers this year or next year, they will want to finish on a high. I know those guys very, very well and they will be so determined to come out here and score big runs," he said.