Updated March 25, 2019 11:54:36

David Warner was a bundle of nerves upon his Indian Premier League return but it did not show in Kolkata, where the suspended superstar blasted 85 to make an emphatic World Cup statement.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns described the IPL as a "good test" for Warner and Steve Smith to see where they are at after a year in exile.

Warner, playing at the highest level he has since the Cape Town cheating scandal, showed few signs of rust in a 53-ball blitz that was a clear signal of intent in his first outing for Sunrisers Hyderabad this year.

Exactly a year to the day on from the events in Cape Town, the hard-hitting opener scored freely and quickly against a Kolkata Knight Riders attack featuring star spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine.

"[Normally] I am pretty chirpy in the change room [before a game]," Warner told Star Sports.

"I didn't really say much [before this game].

"I was that nervous I went to the toilet a couple of times."

Warner helped Hyderabad to a total of 3-181, which Kolkata overhauled in the final over thanks to Andre Russell's astonishing 19-ball 49.

It was not all plain sailing however, with Kolkata keeper Dinesh Karthik putting down a leg-side chance when Warner was on 68, while a beamer from New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson tested out the Australian's reflexes.

Warner, branded "never to lead again" as part of Cricket Australia's sanctions following the Cape Town cheating scandal, clobbered three sixes and nine fours before Robin Uthappa plucked an astonishing catch to end his stand.

However, Warner had shown while he will be a key part of Australia's World Cup defence.

"If you look at the last couple of years, he was outstanding for us," Hyderabad's stand-in skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar said of Warner.

"He's won matches single-handedly. Having him back is good."

Photo: David Warner scored three fifties from seven innings in the Bangladesh Premier League in January. (AP: Bikas Das)

Australia's openers firing at the right time

The swashbuckling innings from Australia's former vice-captain served to remind head coach Justin Langer that he suddenly has plenty of options up his sleeve at the top of the order ahead of the World Cup.

The form of every batsman in the current ODI squad, especially incumbent openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, has ignited feverish debate about Australia's first-choice XI.

Finch and Khawaja fired yet again in Sharjah on Sunday and Australia has now put on 60-plus opening stands in five of its past six ODIs.

Australia's ODI side is also on a five-match winning streak, during which openers Finch and Khawaja have scored four tons and three half-centuries from 10 innings between them.

Warner responded with a century stand of his own, compiling 118 runs alongside Englishman Jonny Bairstow at Eden Gardens.

Now into the final week of his year-long ban from international cricket, Warner was already expected to march into Australia's 15-man World Cup squad.

The only question, which is becoming increasingly hard to answer, is where he will fit in the batting order when Australia starts its campaign in Bristol on June 1.

Current ODI captain Finch has admitted there will be some "really tough calls".

Photo: Aaron Finch has found form at the right time. (AAP: Dave Hunt, file.)

A year is a long time in sport

This time last year, Australians were dealing with the news that would significantly alter the shape of the national team and direction of Australian cricket for the foreseeable future.

The ball-tampering plot was planned during a lunch break in Cape Town. This is how it played out.

Now that year is coming to a close, thoughts are turning to how the trio of suspended stars will reintegrate back into the national team picture, with all three returning to action in the coming weeks.

Last Friday it was announced that Cameron Bancroft, the first of the banned trio to return to cricket, will captain English county side Durham after his nine-month ban came to an end in December.

Steve Smith, who served a 12-month ban along with Warner, will also be playing in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, having recovering from an elbow injury that threatened his return.

Warner said prior to his stint in the Bangladesh Premier League in January that his IPL form would be vital for his chances of being picked for the World Cup.

"At the end of the day, all I can do is score runs in this tournament and the IPL, keep putting my hand up and making sure that I am the best person I can be," Warner said.

Australia's World Cup squad must be submitted to the International Cricket Council by April 23.

The squad will attend a training camp in Brisbane in early May before travelling to England, where the World Cup kicks off on May 30.

ABC/AAP

Topics: sport, cricket, india, australia

First posted March 25, 2019 11:07:15