Delhi Capitals (DC) eventually opened their account in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) with a four-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, April 20. David Warner has been the most consistent performer for DC in the ongoing IPL despite the team’s consecutive defeats. Notably, in the game against KKR, the DC captain scored another fifty runs to lead the team.
Previously, he had scored 30 or more runs at a strike rate of less than 120, but in the match against KKR, he concluded with a strike rate close to 140. Warner was able to score runs more quickly because he utilized the powerplay, and the Capitals did not lose batsmen at the beginning of their innings as they had in previous games. Notably, the Australian scored 57 runs off 41 deliveries with 11 boundaries.
In response to a question about the criticism he has received for his low strike rate, Warner stated that many critics will claim he has not been batting as he normally does. He also stated that if he had escaped, he would have been criticized, but that is the nature of the game.
“We did not lose three wickets consecutively. There will be many detractors who assert that I have not been batting as I normally do. But what can you do when you lose three wickets consecutively in two overs and I catch three balls? You have no viable options. You must possess a degree of responsibility. Just like little Bangalore. Warner stated in the post-match press conference, as quoted by Cricbuzz, “You know, if I got out, people would have criticized me for getting out, but that’s the game; that’s how it is.”
I sensed that I had regained my rhythm. David Warner
David Warner continued by stating that the most important aspect for the team is to believe in themselves and perform to their abilities. In addition, the 36-year-old stated that he believed he had regained his cadence and that he enjoyed his net session. He added that he was a little cautious in the first couple of games, losing a number of wickets, but that now he believes that going out there and playing normally will be beneficial for the team.
“For us, it’s about having confidence in yourself and demonstrating your abilities. Today, I sensed that my match-ups were favorable, so I’ll engage the powerplay. In addition, we did not lose batsmen in clusters during the first two overs. Thus, this also plays a significant function. However, I felt that I had regained my cadence after a couple of productive net sessions. “I was probably a bit tentative in the first couple of games, losing a lot of wickets, but for me it’s about going out there and playing the way I do and that I know, and then it will be better for us and the team,” he said.