David Warner, Australia’s leading run-getter in the just-concluded World Cup, has been rested for the T20I series starting in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

The 37-year-old was originally a part of the squad led by Matthew Wade, announced last month, for the five-match series. But Cricket Australia said on Tuesday: “Selectors decided Warner would return home on the back of a successful yet demanding World Cup campaign.”

All-rounder Aaron Hardie has already joined the squad as a replacement for Warner, who made 535 runs in Australia’s triumphant World Cup campaign.

Earlier this year, Warner had hinted that the home series against Pakistan could be the last of his Test career. Reacting to a social media post signalling the southpaw had played his last ODI World Cup, the veteran opener on Tuesday said: “Who said I am finished?”

Warner’s absence from the T20Is means that only seven members of their Cup-winning squad — Sean Abott, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa — will remain in India.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead India.

PTI