David Warner and Shane Watson: Two Australian greats but on the cusp of similar career ending
Shane Watson wore a pressurized look as he walked back to his mark in what was his first over in his final outing for Australia. The burly all-rounder had given it all with the ball and had done so with the bat too, despite playing out of position in the 2016 T20 World Cup. The man standing between Watson's heroic effort and their path to the semi-finals was Virat Kohli, who played a blinder in Mohali to steer India home.
In the process, Australia were knocked out of the competition and Watson also bowed out.
Eight years and two more T20 World Cup editions later, there is another champion cricketer in David Warner finding himself in a similar spot. Until last week, it appeared that Warner was on track to sign off from international cricket holding the trophy aloft for the second time.
However, Sunday's result has turned Australia's fortunes on its head as Afghanistan emerged triumphant to regnite their campaign. Warner will be the center of attention when Australia face India in pursuit of a semi-final spot not only because they need him to fire big time, but also because it could be the southpaw's final international outing.
David Warner's potential final game for Australia mirrors Shane Watson's farewell moment
Like Watson, Warner has been a long-standing and dedicated servant for Australia. And yet, like the 2016 World T20, the stage is set for Kohli to play another knock to be remembered, for he loves the opposition and the situation. It could probably be the trigger button the ex-captain and India need ahead of the pointy end of the tournament.
Marsh's men's insipid performance against Afghanistan was not a reflection of the team they are and it is convenient to assume that the former champions have one foot out of the door. But this is when teams become most dangerous and more so the former champions, especially when they know a significant part of ensuring their semi-final qualification is in their hands.
Although Australia have had several instances, you don't need to look so far back to understand the impact they bring in crunch matches. Remember how they fared in the cauldron of Ahmedabad last November? As Mitchell Marsh said, 'No better team to do it against'.
David Warner has nothing left to prove but it's now or never
Having first appeared in the international arena in 2009, Warner has become the prototype T20 player for Australia. Since his debut, Australia haven't produced a T20 batter as impactful or improvised as the southpaw. Runs at the top from Warner means he improves the form of the other batters too.
Runs off Warner's bat were one of the chief building blocks in Australia's road to the final in 2010 and becoming champions in 2021. With a record 3271 T20I runs, notably overtaking Aaron Finch in this year's tournament alongside a host of match-winning performances, Warner has nothing left to prove. His illustrious career will have a blemish on disciplinary grounds, but nothing in terms of what he has achieved.
But it begs the question if the New South Wales cricketer deserves a career-ending like Watson. The dynamic opener's T20I record isn't the most encouraging but it's that one final push which will spur him to get it right. But it is likely to come good or suffer a nosedive.
But more significant will also be other Aussie batters' performances as they have finally come under scrutiny after a shabby performance against Afghanistan, bar Glenn Maxwell. There is the narrative around how India are not tested yet in the tournament. By contrast, the Aussies didn't pass their first real pressure game and will be pushed to their absolute limits in only 36 hours.
And while Marsh faces a litmus test to prove his captaincy credentials, for once, the focus will be on the man who walks out with Travis Head to open the innings.