David Warner under fire as captaincy called into question after IPL loss
The Aussie is captaining the Delhi Capitals in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant.
David Warner has made a miserable start to life as captain of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, with his side suffering a second-straight loss to open their campaign on Tuesday. Sai Sudharsan guided the Gujarat Titans to a six-wicket win over the Capitals, who made 8-162 while batting first.
Warner made 56 off 48 balls in the Capitals' opening game, before 37 off 32 balls on Tuesday. However on both occasions, fans and commentators felt the Aussie opener was far too slow in scoring his runs.
BIG STATEMENT: Matt Renshaw heaps more pressure on David Warner
NOT GOOD: Cameron Green suffers brutal debut baptism in IPL
Warner is renown for getting his runs at a good rate at T20 level, but many felt he could have upped the ante in both of the Capitals' first two games. Compatriot Mitch Marsh also faltered for the second game running, making four off four balls after a golden duck in the opening game.
Gujarat bowlers Rashid Khan (3-31), Mohammed Shami (3-41) and Alzarri Joseph (2-29) struck in regular intervals to restrict the Capitals to an underwhelming total. Sudharsan then made 62 not out off 48 balls as the Titans won with 11 balls to spare.
"Losing wickets in the powerplay can be a struggle," Warner said after the game. "We have got six more games here and anticipate the swing up front. They bowled extremely well. We were in the game but Sai batted extremely well and David Miller took it away."
Warner's inability to get the Capitals off to a quick start isn't the only issue for fans, with many also questioning his tactics with all-rounder Axar Patel. Many felt Patel should have batted further up the order than No.7 after a brilliant cameo of 36 off 22 balls. Warner also opted not to give Patel a bowl, a move widely questioned by fans.
The Aussie star is captaining the Capitals in the absence of Rishabh Pant, who suffered serious leg injuries in a car accident in December. Warner has previously captained the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, but his captaincy of Delhi has left much to be desired from fans so far.
Yes, Rishabh Pant's absence is a huge blow, but Delhi Capitals look clueless.
How can you not bat an in-form Axar Patel higher-up and not bowl him at all?
David Warner not at his best. Can they overcome the early setbacks? #DCvGT #IPL2023— Akshay Ramesh (@iamnotakshayr) April 4, 2023
Below are the problems with Delhi Capitals.
* David Warner out of touch
* Sarfaraz does not look like a T20 player, still getting nod ahead of in-form Axar Patel in middle order
* Indian fast bowlers does not look threatening
* Captaincy below par
* Mitchell Marsh & Rilley…— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) April 4, 2023
• David Warner was slow once again, he’s way past his peak, reminiscence and past results shouldn’t have such an affect on selection, even though it clearly does.
• Porel and Axar played batted well in the last 10 overs, but Sarfaraz really didn’t help them at the other end.— Rivaan (@rivaanathwal31) April 4, 2023
David Warner deserves to be dropped just for not giving Axar Patel a bowl, let alone his batting struggles.
You want your overseas players to win you matches, not just struggle. Delhi Capitals should seriously consider dropping him, he looks done with the bat.#DCvsGT— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) April 4, 2023
David Warner's captaincy also looks completely dull. Why Akshar Patel was not given bowling today, the reason is not understood. There is no excuse for not getting Akshar to bowl because of dew, Kuldeep Yadav can bowl, so why not Akshar Patel ?? #GTvsDC #IPL2023
— Sourabh Sharma (@SSourabhOfc) April 4, 2023
David Warner's batting+captaincy is questionable 😤
— Ayush Anand (@crictopher014) April 4, 2023
Not only David Warner's batting skills but his captaincy skills have gone down too ⬇️ man didn't bowl Axar in the whole match, wtf was he thinking about? 🤔💭#DCvsGT #GTvsDC #IPL #axarpatel
— Yash Tawde (@YashTawde08) April 4, 2023
Sorry to say, but very poor captaincy by David Warner who didn't gave a single over to Akshar Patel who have had tremendous day with the bat. &. Can bowl some good overs on the turning slow pitch of kotla.#IPL23 #IPL2023 #DCvsGT
— OnlyIPLFan (@OnJishnu) April 4, 2023
David Miller and Sai Sudharsan star in IPL
South African star David Miller hit an unbeaten 31 to help the defending champion Titans to their second-straight win, hours after he flew into India for the lucrative T20 tournament. Miller put on an unbeaten stand of 56 with Sudharsan, providing the finishing touches to the victory with his 16-ball blitz.
"Didn't have time to get jet-lagged," said Miller, whose flight landed on Tuesday morning after he was called in to replace Kane Williamson, who injured his knee in the opening game. "We were within range. It was a matter of three sixes or four fours."
Miller was one of a number of South Africans players who joined the IPL after the recent ODI series against the Netherlands at home. But it was the 21-year-old Sudharsan who showed an ice cool temperament, holding firm after Gujarat slipped to 54-3 when skipper Hardik Pandya departed.
"He has been batting beautifully," Pandya said of Sudharsan. "You can see the fruit of his hard work. In two years he will do something big in franchise cricket and hopefully for India."
with agencies
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
