Dharamsala Test: David Warner keen to end barren patch and score big in series decider

Ranchi: Austrian batsman David Warner, who is widely recognized as one of the most destructive opener in the modern day cricket, has been on a barren run since arriving in India but he is hopeful of a turnaround in the upcoming Test in Dharmasala.

The left-handed opener has bagged just 131 runs in six innings with a 33-run knock in the first innings of the Bangalore Test being his highest so far.

When asked about a possible reason for his struggle on Indian soil, the hard-hitting batsman said there was nothing wrong with him as he was striking the ball quite well.

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"I feel fantastic, I couldn't be hitting the ball any better but it's just that the runs aren't coming for me at the moment. That will come, it will turn around," Warner told reporters.

"I just have to keep being disciplined and making sure that my preparation is still the same - not change anything, and just go about my business as I do," he said.

Having come under criticism for his dismal show in the series thus far, the aggressive batsman said he was not the first cricketer to endure a tough period.

"Numbers always pop up everywhere. For me it's about putting my best foot forward and trying to put my team in a position that we can either defend or win games. That's what that's about. Everyone in world cricket, greats and legends of the game have had stints overseas or at home (where) they've had some form slumps. That's just the game of cricket."

He said he has done it in past, emerging out of a lean patch, adding he can do it again.

"That's in the back of your mind you've got to keep telling yourself you've done the hard yards, you just don't lose it overnight. There were tough periods where I kept on thinking to myself 'am I actually doing the work at training?' I sort of second guessed myself.

"I had a couple of words to some boys around Christmas time and they weren't seeing any trends or anything with my dismissals, everything I was doing at training was spot on and in the normal way I go about it.

"Nothing has changed, it's still the same. I've just got to go out and keep backing myself and, when I'm out there, adapt to the conditions and then keep backing myself to try and keep putting the runs on the board," he said.

Warner said he has been giving Australia steady starts with Matt Renshaw but need to convert those into big ones.

"For the team's sake we need to get off to a good start," Warner said.

"As a partnership, me and Renners have been getting off to an okay start. None for 50 over here, you need those to be none for 100. We've seen the Indians do it before, batting big and (making) partnerships of 200."

(With PTI inputs)