On Monday, the Australian opener, David Warner vowed that he will keep temper in check during the upcoming series against India, predicting Virat Kohli and his men will try to wind him up with verbal taunts. Warner once reveled in his reputation as Australia’s attack dog during on-field confrontations but now he is much more mature.

Talking about the same, Warner explained, “The last time we toured in India they really engaged us like that. We’re learning over time, especially myself, that if you look not to engage in that you’re almost reversing the effect by ignoring it, trying to take it in, and using your bat. You don’t know the effect (losing your temper) will have on your teammates, so you have to be a bit more humble and be more respectful to the opposition.”

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Warner’s milder approach appears to coincide with his comeback after serving a ban after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, although the batsman attributed the laid-back demeanor to fatherhood. He also backed his out-of-form Test partner Joe Burns, who faces a stiff challenge from rising star Will Pucovski for the opening position against India.

David Warner explained, “I’ve spent a lot of time with Joe Burns in the middle, I know exactly what we’re about when we’re out there. Obviously, we won a lot of games last year. So for me, you don’t break something that’s actually working.”

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Test greats such as Michael Clarke, Ian Chappell, and Mark Waugh have been bouncing for the inclusion of Pucovski as the latter plundered back-to-back double centuries for Victoria. Warner acknowledged Pucovski’s claims but said Burns, 31, “did not to anything wrong” to warrant dropping him for the first Test in Adelaide next month.

Australia and India will play three one-dayers, three Twenty20 matches, and four Tests during the tour.