Not an easy character to have in your team: Graeme Smith on why Ponting needs to keep David Warner happy

Graeme Smith said that he considers David Warner in the all time XI in the Indian Premier League, rivalling the like of Chris Gayle

Former South African captain Graeme Smith feels that Australian opener David Warner is a difficult character to have in the team. Speaking in Cricket.com's review of the match, Smith said that Warner needs to be happy in a team, and if he is kept happy, he fires on all cylinders.

"A happy David Warner and an in-form David Warner is a good guy to have in your team," Smith said.

David Warner has been in tremendous form in this IPL scoring his third consecutive fifty in this year's edition. Smith delved into the batsman's exceptional record in the Indian Premier League and stated that the left hander is right up there with Chris Gayle when it comes to an all-time IPL XI.

"I was looking at all-time IPL XI and he (Warner) was always in the consideration. If you consider four overseas players in it, he is certainly the rival to Chris Gayle. He has also been in a leadership role before and his fielding is really good."

Incidentally, Warner was dropped as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain last season, after an ugly spat with the team. Hyderabad were in all kinds of mess with their performance and Warner was scapegoated for not giving blistering starts at the top. After his axing, Warner found form in the T20 World Cup, helping Australia win their maiden trophy.

Smith stated that Warner was at a good place (Delhi Capitals) due to Ricky Ponting's presence in the team, as the former Australian captain knows exactly how to keep the opener happy.