Shane Watson, former Australian all-rounder and Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach is confident that David Warner will be eager to show he still has it in him during the 2023 IPL season. Following Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate car accident in December of 2022, Warner has been made the stand-in captain of DC.
Warner’s incredible performance in the twelve games last season saw him rack up an impressive 432 runs with an average of 48 and a strike rate over 150. However, his form in international cricket has been patchy in recent months, and this has caused some uncertainty regarding whether he can perform consistently for the Capitals.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, Watson stated:
“I think, yeah, David Warner for me is just at the top of the order. He’s going to continue to have a point to prove and everyone’s going to be like riding off the back of him. He’s always scored so many runs in the IPL. And to be an opening batter and set the platform like he does is going to be very important.”
He also recently praised Mitchell Marsh’s stellar performance, for which the all-rounder earned Player of the Series in the ODI matches against India. Watson noted:
“I think Mitchell Marsh, this is going to be another really big season for him. He’s got incredible skill with the bat alone and how he’s batting and takes the game on is going to play a really big part.”
Shane Watson on DC’s bowling unit under Warner
Shane Watson commented on the wealth of talent the Delhi Capitals have in their pace and spin bowling departments despite Anrich Nortje being ruled out after an injury in the Test series with West Indies. He stated:
“And then we’ve got some youngsters with the ball, fast bowlers, Nagarkoti and Chetan Sakariya. And then we’ve got our spinners as well, like Axar and Kuldeep Yadav. Those two guys, to be able to have world-class spinners bowling especially through the middle, to be able to try and get wickets and also keep the runs down, that’s so critically important.”
