David Warner, who came into the T20 World Cup facing questions over his poor form, ended as the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup for scoring 289 runs at an average of over 48.

His efforts along with his mental resolve after a poor run were applauded after he took Australia to their first-ever title in the format.

The left-hander, who struck at only 110 in the recent IPL and was benched for the last few games of SRH’s campaign, answered his naysayers in style as he made four scores above 40 in the tournament, including knocks of 49 and 53 in the semifinal and final of the T20 World Cup, respectively. Following a groin injury last November, Warner struggled to return to his best, which led to question marks over his future as Australia opener.

However, the 35-year-old displayed that class is indeed permanent as he struck at 148 to lay a solid platform for the team match-after-match in the competition.

Warner’s mental strength and his ability to raise his game in pressure situations were hailed following the team’s win, with even his wife taking a dig at critics who had written off the player.

Out of form, too old and slow! 😳🤣 congratulations @davidwarner31 pic.twitter.com/Ljf25miQiM

— Candice Warner (@CandiceWarner31) November 14, 2021

Chants of ‘Warner! Warner!’ doing the rounds as Australia take a victory lap.

A month and a half ago, he was sitting on the bench at the same venue, itching to get on the pitch.

What a story.#T20WorldCup #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/7vRMW20Gns

— Aadya Sharma (@Aadya_Wisden) November 14, 2021

And it’s a wrap. Australia showing once again that they have many matchwinners to call upon. Warner showing once again that it was too early to write him off in the IPL. #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCupFinal After two high quality semifinals, a one-sided final.

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) November 14, 2021

David Warner player of the T20 World Cup. Someone, somewhere involved with Hyderabad Sunrisers must have a very good explanation why he was dropped in this year’s IPL. #T20WorldCupFinal

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) November 14, 2021

David Warner has just given us a life lesson on how to shut up our critics through his performance at the #T20WorldCup – That’s how you do it, that’s the only way to do it!

— Tazeen Syed (@Tazeen_11) November 15, 2021

Form is temporary and class is permanent. You should never write off a player like @davidwarner31. Congrats Bull! Bring on the Ashes!

— Kate Hutchison (@hutch8) November 14, 2021

From getting benched at SRH to becoming the Player of the Tournament at the biggest stage- David Warner turned it around within a month and most of us aren't even surprised.

What a Champion!

— The Cricket Panda (@TheCricketPanda) November 14, 2021

Also was nice to see these two, @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31, have a quiet chat after everything they’ve been through together just minutes before Glenn Maxwell played the championship-winning shot #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/f8byb8BaZZ

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 14, 2021

Others couldn’t help but call Warner as one of the greatest players in the history of the format.

Very happy for Warner, a well deserved player of the tournament to add to his legacy as one of the greatest T20 batters we've ever seen, one of very few with tournament winning campaigns at T20I and IPL level.

— Kieran (@BerbaSpinCric) November 14, 2021

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