'Banning someone for life I disagree with': Pat Cummins' blunt opinion on David Warner’s captaincy ban

There are reports regarding Cricket Australia lifting the lifetime captaincy ban imposed on David Warner. Alongside Steven Smith, the left-handed batter was banned from playing for a year in 2018. The infamous 'Sandpaper-gate saga' on the Protea tour shook Australian cricket, leading to a lifetime leadership ban for David Warner.

Former skipper Steven Smith was suspended from taking leadership duties for two years. Smith's suspension term has ended, and he is currently named Pat Cummins' deputy for the red-ball format. However, there has been no reprieve for David Warner, who continues to serve his lifetime ban.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has delivered a strong statement regarding Warner's captaincy ban. The pacer disagrees with the concept of imposing lifetime bans and wants Cricket Australia to overturn the harsh decision. Recently, even Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd argued in favour of overturning Warner's ban.

"I do have views. Fundamentally, banning someone for life I disagree with," said Cummins. 

The skipper believes that people should be allowed to learn from their mistakes. Moreover, he believes David Warner would make a fantastic leader if needed. "People are allowed to learn and improve and grow. So yeah, fundamentally I disagree with that concept. He's (Warner) a fantastic leader around our squad here. If he has a formal (leadership) role, he'd be fantastic with that as well. So if that ever came up, he'd be great," stated the Test skipper," Cummins told the Herald Sun.

Cricket Australia is expected to take a call on David Warner's lifetime leadership ban in their next meeting scheduled for July. Putting things into perspective, it will surely not be inappropriate for the board to overturn their decision, given that a lifetime ban was a stringent penalty.