David Warner scores 85 on return to IPL

Sunrisers Hyderabad opener David Warner announced his return to the Indian Premier League in style, smashing a 53-ball 85 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.

He's back! David Warner en route to his knock of 85 on Sunday. Photo: PTI

After having missed the Indian Premier League in 2018 owing to his role in the ball-tampering scandal, David Warner announced his comeback in emphatic fashion, scoring a 53-ball 85 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday.

Warner smashed nine fours and three sixes in his pugnacious knock. He was dismissed by Andre Russell in the 16th over of Sunrisers' innings.

If he had scored a century, it would have been his fourth in the league, putting him on par with Virat Kohli and Shane Watson.

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Although out of touch with international cricket for a year — his last game for Australia was the controversial Test in Cape Town against South Africa in March, 2018 — Warner has been participating in Twenty20 leagues around the world for the past few months.

In August and September, 2018, he played for St. Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League, and earlier this year, he played for Sylhet Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier League.