Former Indian spinner blasts DC captain David Warner for his team's dismal performance in IPL 2023

David Warner (Source: Twitter)

Delhi Capitals (DC) are having a terrible campaign in the 2023 Indian Premier League, having lost six of their eight games and sitting at the bottom of the points table. The 2020 IPL finalists suffered their sixth loss by nine runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday, April 29, when they had every chance of winning had they not bottled up the 197-run chase. With competition tightening as the tournament progresses, DC's chances of making the playoffs are now nearly nil.

Chasing a massive score set by SRH, the hosts lost their skipper David Warner in the first over. However, that did not affect the momentum of DC as Mitchell Marsh and Philip Salt put on a brilliant 112 partnership for the second wicket. At one stage, it looked like the two would finish off the things, but when SRH skipper Aiden Markram chose to go with a spin attack, the game turned in their favour.

Right-arm spinner Mayank Markande dismissed Salt in the 12th over to give the visitors a massive breakthrough. With nine wickets in hand and 112 on the board, it was their captain and management's baffling batting-order tactics that cost them the match. They held back Axar Patel, who is in excellent form with the bat, and instead sent Priyam Garg and out-of-form batter Sarfaraz Khan ahead of him.

If Warner wants to figure out why DC is at the bottom, he needs to look in the mirror: Harbhajan Singh

Although Warner remains the highest run-scorer for DC this season with 306 runs, his strike rate (118.60) has not been in line with T20 cricket. Analyzing Capitals' campaign in the ongoing IPL, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes they will not make a comeback this season, and he blames their skipper entirely for that.

“I don't think they can make a comeback, and the entire reason for that is captain. He didn't lead the side well, and then his form was an issue. It has been very disappointing. Warner was dismissed earlier today (vs SRH), which is why Delhi came so close. If he had played 50 balls, that would've been 50 balls wasted and DC would've lost by 50 runs,” Harbhajan said in a YouTube video.

The 42-year-old further said that Warner hasn't done justice to his status this year and has shown no intent by scoring at such a poor strike rate.

“Even now, when he comes to presentation, he says about other players' mistakes. But what have you done? You didn't show any intent; you scored 300+ runs but look at your strike rate. Warner hasn't really done justice to his stature this year. His 300 runs are of no use to DC. Warner needs to look in the mirror if he wants to find a reason for DC being at the bottom,” he added.