‘It's like he is playing against his own team’ - Harbhajan Singh reflects on David Warner’s performance against MI

The 16th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 saw a fiery clash between the David Warner-led Delhi Capitals and the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, April 11. 

Batting first, Delhi got off to a rocky start. However, David Warner scored his 58th half-century in the IPL. He scored 51 runs in 48 deliveries, and as Mumbai needed two runs off the last ball, Warner miscued a throw, after which Cameron Green and Tim David completed the run to clinch a thrilling victory against Delhi.

Talking about Warner’s performance against Mumbai, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh reflected on how his knock was similar to him playing against his own team.

"What's the point of scoring such runs. He needs to score fast. It's like he is playing against his own team. Also, I think it's a sheer excuse about what he said about the fielding part. Nobody has that much time to think when collecting and throwing the ball," Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports.

Small factors should have been kept in mind: Virender Sehwag

Continuing upon the same, many former India stars came forward to give their take on Warner’s performance. During commentary, Sehwag said, "With two needed of the last ball, he should have been standing close. He was standing by the rope. He is scoring runs, but these small factors should have been kept in mind."

Irfan Pathan also came to the front as he took to Twitter to reflect on the Ace Australian opener’s knock. Pathan talked about the 36-year-old’s slow strike rate. "How come no one is pointing out the strike rate of David Warner?? He is been playing with low strike for quite sometime now," he tweeted.

Irfan Pathan@IrfanPathan

How come no one pointing out strike rate of David Warner?? He is been playing with low strike for quite sometime now…

09:06 PM · Apr 11, 2023

11.2K453

Despite scoring runs, Warner has been quite slow in notching them up on the board, and that could be a potential factor in Delhi Capitals’ winless run at the IPL 2023. The 36-year-old has had a strike of 114.84 at the IPL 2023 and with three half-centuries to his name already, it would be beneficial for Delhi if he could accelerate.