<p>David Warner is still a part of Australia's plans for the tour of India next year, head coach Andrew McDonald said, even with the 36-year-old's modest record in the subcontinent and his current battle for runs.</p>.<p>The lefthanded opener averages 24.25 from his eight tests in India, well down on his career average of 46.04.</p>.<p>Ahead of Australia's first test series against South Africa since the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, Warner's declining output with the bat has also come under the microscope.</p>.<p>He has not scored a test century in almost three years and struggled in the recent 2-0 whitewash of West Indies amid off-field distractions brought on by his aborted bid to have his permanent leadership ban lifted.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/to-qualify-for-world-test-championship-final-we-have-to-play-aggressive-cricket-stand-in-skipper-rahul-1171011.html" target="_blank">To qualify for World Test Championship final, we have to play aggressive cricket: Stand-in skipper Rahul</a></strong></p>.<p>McDonald, however, said Warner was "firmly" in mind for the four-test tour of India starting in February.</p>.<p>"At this stage we've got him in our plans for India," McDonald told reporters.</p>.<p>"As I said, we'll see what happens in the next three test matches."</p>.<p>All eyes will be on Warner during the South Africa series, which opens at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.</p>.<p>Warner was one of three Australia players suspended for 'Sandpaper-gate' and was adjudged to have played the leading role in the scandal. He was slapped with a lifetime ban on taking leadership roles in Australian teams.</p>.<p>He angrily withdrew his application to have the ban reviewed by an independent panel last week, saying the panel wanted a "public trial" of his part in the Newlands affair.</p>.<p>McDonald said Warner had already moved on from the saga and was unlikely to be weighed down by the Newlands history when facing the South Africans again.</p>.<p>"He's great at compartmentalising, separating the off-field from the on-field. Most of the great champions do that very well," said McDonald.</p>.<p>"He's moved forward, we're moving forward as a team.</p>.<p>"We've got a seriously good opponent confronting us at the Gabba, so our focus is firmly on that and so is David's."</p>
<p>David Warner is still a part of Australia's plans for the tour of India next year, head coach Andrew McDonald said, even with the 36-year-old's modest record in the subcontinent and his current battle for runs.</p>.<p>The lefthanded opener averages 24.25 from his eight tests in India, well down on his career average of 46.04.</p>.<p>Ahead of Australia's first test series against South Africa since the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, Warner's declining output with the bat has also come under the microscope.</p>.<p>He has not scored a test century in almost three years and struggled in the recent 2-0 whitewash of West Indies amid off-field distractions brought on by his aborted bid to have his permanent leadership ban lifted.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/to-qualify-for-world-test-championship-final-we-have-to-play-aggressive-cricket-stand-in-skipper-rahul-1171011.html" target="_blank">To qualify for World Test Championship final, we have to play aggressive cricket: Stand-in skipper Rahul</a></strong></p>.<p>McDonald, however, said Warner was "firmly" in mind for the four-test tour of India starting in February.</p>.<p>"At this stage we've got him in our plans for India," McDonald told reporters.</p>.<p>"As I said, we'll see what happens in the next three test matches."</p>.<p>All eyes will be on Warner during the South Africa series, which opens at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.</p>.<p>Warner was one of three Australia players suspended for 'Sandpaper-gate' and was adjudged to have played the leading role in the scandal. He was slapped with a lifetime ban on taking leadership roles in Australian teams.</p>.<p>He angrily withdrew his application to have the ban reviewed by an independent panel last week, saying the panel wanted a "public trial" of his part in the Newlands affair.</p>.<p>McDonald said Warner had already moved on from the saga and was unlikely to be weighed down by the Newlands history when facing the South Africans again.</p>.<p>"He's great at compartmentalising, separating the off-field from the on-field. Most of the great champions do that very well," said McDonald.</p>.<p>"He's moved forward, we're moving forward as a team.</p>.<p>"We've got a seriously good opponent confronting us at the Gabba, so our focus is firmly on that and so is David's."</p>