How did David Warner gain so many Indian fans?

With David Warner having tentatively announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) as well as Test Cricket, fans will miss not just his phenomenal skills on display but also the energy which he brought with him and transfused into the crowd. 

It could be said that his fan base is as expansive or more so in India in comparison to Australia. There are several reasons for this. The most important one among this is that he understands that the audience is just as integral to the game of cricket as players themselves. 

When his teammate voiced an opinion against the light show in the Feroz Shah Kolta during Australia’s encounter with Afghanistan in the World Cup he gave a statement in contradiction to that. “I absolutely loved the light show, what an atmosphere. It’s all about the fans. Without you all we won’t be able to do what we love,” he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Even after India’s loss in the World Cup final he apologised to the fans. “I apologise, it was such a great game and the atmosphere was incredible. India really put on a serious event. Thank you all,” he said. 

I absolutely loved the light show, what an atmosphere. It’s all about the fans. Without you all we won’t be able to do what we love. 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/ywKVn5d5gc

— David Warner (@davidwarner31)

I absolutely loved the light show, what an atmosphere. It’s all about the fans. Without you all we won’t be able to do what we love. 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/ywKVn5d5gc

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 25, 2023

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His Instagram reels with his family to the tune of popular Telugu songs like Buttabomma and Srivali have also won him fans. Those videos indicate that in some ways Warner belongs to India even without a citizenship.