Delhi Capitals captain David Warner has urged young Indian batsmen in his team to develop their techniques for facing express pace, asserting that it’s a skill that can’t be taught. Warner, with 285 runs in six games, played a vital role in his team’s first win in the 2023 IPL on Thursday. However, several Indian players, such as Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dhull, Aman Khan, and Abhishek Porel, have struggled against pace and spin.
According to Warner, technique is an individual aspect of a player’s game, and the onus is on each batter to find a method that works for them. He emphasized that players need to adapt their techniques to score against bowlers delivering at 150 kmph and targeting their rib-cage. Warner also revealed that practicing short balls in the nets could make players tentative in actual matches, as it’s a reaction skill that needs to be honed during games.
While Warner managed to handle spinner Varun Chakravarthy with ease, his younger teammates had difficulty reading the bowler. Warner stressed the importance of consulting team analysts to understand bowlers and their deliveries better.
Despite a strike rate of around 116 in his five previous games, Warner’s 57 off 41 balls showcased his batting prowess. When asked about his approach, the Delhi Capitals skipper attributed the improved performance to not losing wickets in quick succession, which allowed him to take on bowlers more aggressively.
In addition, Warner praised veteran Ishant Sharma’s impressive performance, which included 2/19 in 4 overs and 13 dot balls. He noted Sharma’s determination to bounce back from sickness and contribute to the team’s success, highlighting the depth of Delhi Capitals’ bowling lineup.