Usman Khawaja opens up on Warner’s one for the team mentality pre ball-tampering scandal

David Warner and Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Usman Khawaja has shared insights into the ball-tampering scandal, which involved his close friend and longtime teammate David Warner. Khawaja revealed that Warner’s aggressive conduct, preceding his one-year ban from international cricket, was often a result of following team directives.

According to Khawaja, Warner received instructions from the coaching staff and other individuals associated with the team, influencing his playing style on various occasions.  

“For a long period of time, he was in people’s faces and doing stuff; but that wasn’t always Davey. He was getting told to play a certain way by the coaching staff and people around at certain points. He’s such a team player. If you ask him to do something, he’ll do it. That’s the frustrating part when people come at him because I know he’ll do anything he needs to for the team to win a game,” Khawaja said. 

“Back in the day, if the team asked – or coaches or senior players [asked] – to get into the contest or sledge the other teams, he’d do it. He doesn’t have to do it, but he wants to help the team, and that’s how he felt he had to help the team. You’ve seen a very different David Warner since he’s come back in 2019. He’s done it his own way,” he added.

Khawaja, who has been walking out together during Tests with Warner, further opened up about his relationship with the southpaw. 

“We are pretty tight – probably even tighter after he missed a year of cricket because he went through a really tough time, and I always made sure he was going all right. I always had his back. It’s really good to watch that people are getting around him because I think he deserves it; I really do. I think about the journey we’ve been on, and it is quite emotional,” he added.

“He’s looked good [in] every single way. Nice to see him leave on a high. He just got a ripper of a ball today that you have to cop sometimes. It’s his Test, and [it’s] really good to be a part of it,” he further said.