I’m sure india’s defeat is just a one-off

A few hours after Australia thrashed India by nine wickets in the first World T20 Super 8 encounter in Colombo this week, David Warner the star of the show along with Shane Watson, tells Boria Majumdar that India will make a strong comeback
That was a job really well done. Clinical, smart and a real statement to the other teams.
Thanks, mate. Shane and I batted well but one must first give credit to our bowlers for restricting India to such a modest score.The score, 140, was never going to be enough and Pat (Cummins), Mitchell (Starc) and Brad Hogg bowled exceptionally well. It was important we put the pressure on them and our bowlers had set it up nicely for us.
There was so much talk about Australian vulnerability against quality spin but you just tore into the Indian attack. Was it a premeditated assault?
That’s how I play. If the ball is in my zone, I will always back myself to hit it and hit it hard. It was important we get off to a good start against the Indian spinners and that’s what we did. While it wasn’t premeditated, I was always going to attack them if the balls were in my zone. It is a deeply satisfying win because the Indians, make no mistake, are a world-class team.
The morale in the dressing room must be at its highest now and you all must be fancying your chances of making it to the semi-finals.
It is a very happy dressing room and each of us is backing the others up to go out there and do the job. We play South Africa on Sunday and we know that we can’t afford a major slip-up at this stage. We are, in fact, focused to just push on the momentum and make it to the last four and then go on further in the competition. Australia has not won the World T20 ever and we are aware that we need to change this record.
While you play South Africa, we play a do-or-die encounter against Pakistan on Sunday. Do you think the Indians have the mental strength and the ability to come back after this defeat?
Oh, no question. Absolutely they can and I am convinced they will. Make no mistake they have some world-class batsmen in that team and also some world-class bowlers. They will come back hard and surely put up a fight. You must also remember that the rain helped us a bit. It made it difficult for the Indian spinners to grip the ball and that may also have affected their rhythm.
You have a fast developing major fan base in India. Here too, I could see you sign autographs and pose with Indian fans for photos. Is it a result of the IPL and you playing for the Delhi Daredevils?
Playing against Indians and playing in India is always a matter of great pleasure for any cricketer. You have some of the most passionate fans and here also, the Indians were there in great numbers to support the team. It is great for cricket and I’d really like to do well in India when we tour India next year. As a cricketer, it is important I do well in India to really make a mark at the international stage.
You already have the Perth 100 against India earlier this year, the innings you have played here in Colombo… you seem to have a fondness for India.
(Laughs). I am glad you say that. At times we have a problem playing quality spin bowling. It is important we put in that extra effort and make sure we overcome our difficulties. And India has some really good spinners in Ashwin and Ojha in the Test match arena. It is a matter of great satisfaction to be able to do well against them.
Are the pitches in Colombo going to favour the spinners as the tournament progresses?
It was a good wicket during the match and the rain helped the balls come on to the bat. There is no doubt teams from the sub-continent should and will fancy their chances. Don’t be too disappointed with India’s performance. It is just a one-off.