Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman revealed hard-hitting opener David Warner had promised the franchise 500 runs ahead of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Warner — who missed the last edition of the cash rich league in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal — was in blistering form in the ongoing edition of the league, before he had to leave to join his national team for World Cup preparations.

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Warner featured in 12 matches for SRH and scored 692 runs at an astonishing average of 69.20. He slammed eight fifties and one century at a healthy strike rate of 143.86. KL Rahul takes the second spot in the list with 520 runs in same number of matches.

Laxman has now revealed that it was no fluke as Warner had promised to score at least 500 runs to the team management ahead of the tournament.

“We were in the middle of a shoot in Hyderabad when Davey messaged head coach Tom Moody, promising us 500 runs for the season,” Laxman wrote in a column in TOI. “It was no empty boast. It’s one thing to set goals, but the determined manner in which Davey chased it down was wonderful to watch.”

“What can I say about Warner? He has had a turbulent year or so, made worse by an elbow injury and we were a little apprehensive at the start of the season that he might be a bit rusty,” Laxman added.

“But Davey was truly outstanding... Davey is fortunate that he has tremendous mental resolve, and in his wife Candice, a very strong support system.”

First Published: May 02, 2019 17:11 IST