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Former Australia batter Simon Katich believes that the infamous sandpaper gate will never allow retiring David Warner to earn 'full respect' from the public. The left-handed opener is playing his final Test in the ongoing third Test against Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground.

The opener had a fantastic career before indulging in a ball-tampering incident against South Africa in 2018 that handed him a lifetime leadership ban and also was not allowed to represent Australia for some period along with then captain Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

After the incident, Warner faced a lot of criticism from his home crowd and also in different parts of the world. Katich feels that episode will not wash away from Warner's career for his lifetime.

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"I think it's hard to say 'full respect' because I think there is always going to be an element of the public that didn't like what happened, and rightfully so. A lot of us couldn't believe what the Australian team resorted to," Katich told 'Sen Radio' on Wednesday.

The former batter added that Warner should not be solely blamed for the ball-tampering incident.

"But to blame him entirely for that whole episode is pretty naive. I think in time, I've got no doubt there will be more said about it. He took the wrap along with Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith but I think, the public feel there was more to it than just those three," said Katich.

Smith was stripped of his captaincy and banned for a year in the wake of the scandal alongside Warner, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.

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Katich added that it would have been very difficult for Warner to overcome the setback and get on with his game.

"At the time, I think what he did was he kept his mouth shut after the initial apology and then got on with trying to go back out there and try to play as good as cricket as he possibly could. That wouldn't have been easy to do.

"What's done is done but for David to be able to get back to where he got to after such an enormous event like it was in Cape Town... it was significant to think that he was able to get back and play good cricket after that event."

(With PTI inputs)