Why is David Warner so popular in India?

Australian cricket opener David Warner is one of the foreign players greatly admired by India's passionate cricket-loving community, and this has become more and more evident with the last few matches of Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023.

What

• India is often hailed as one of the world's most cricket-obsessed nations, boasting a population of 1.486 billion.

  #DavidWarner
  The Crowd: David... Warner... David... Warner...
  
  Srivalli Hookstep from #DavidWarner and the Crowd gone Crazy.
  
  ThaggaddeLe 🤙🔥#AlluArjun #AlluArjun𓃵 #PushpaTheRise #Pushpa2TheRule #Aus pic.twitter.com/YR02Qd4kGd

  — Allu Arjun fan ikkadaa (@AAFanIkkadaa) October 3, 2023

• While iconic talents like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have emerged from India, there have also been instances where non-Indian cricketers gained immense popularity within the Indian cricket fan base.
• One of those few names is that of the Australian batter, David Warner.

Warner’s popularity in India 

• David Warner's immense popularity in India is well-known, and during the recent Australia vs Netherlands match in the ICC World Cup 2023, his significant following in the country became even more evident.

• Warner received resounding cheers from the majority of the crowd at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

• There were moments when the entire stadium erupted in cheers as Warner danced to the hook-step of the popular Indian song "Srivalli" from the Tamil film "Pushpa."

• The enthusiastic support for Warner has made waves on social media, marking a rare instance of a foreign player receiving such fervent backing from the home crowd.

But, why does the crowd love him so much?

Warner’s love for India on social media

• David Warner is one of the many who are very active on social media, and the majority of his posts are focused on Indian elements.

• During the COVID-19 crisis, when cricket activities were halted, Australian opener David Warner became active on social media.

   

   

   

   

  View this post on Instagram

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)

   

• Since then, the Warner family has shared numerous entertaining videos, including dancing to popular Indian songs, quickly gaining attention on these platforms.

   

   

   

   

  View this post on Instagram

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)

• In no time, his videos gained a lot of attention on these platforms. 

   

   

   

   

  View this post on Instagram

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)

'Pushpa' celebration

• Australian cricketer David Warner scored his fifth ODI World Cup century in the Australia vs. Pakistan match at the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, solidifying his top-tier status.

• What made it unique was his celebration, inspired by Telugu actor Allu Arjun, at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

  Pushpa celebration by David Warner.
  
  - The craze for Allu Arjun is huge.pic.twitter.com/GLMbGGVgue

  — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 25, 2023

Stellar IPL record

• David Warner's IPL performance is truly remarkable, establishing him as one of the most successful overseas players in the tournament.

• He has claimed the Orange Cap (highest run-scorer) three times and captained the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to an IPL title.
• Warner is a beloved figure in Hyderabad, earning nicknames like "Warner miyaa" or "Warner gaaru" from fans.