Maybe we could think about sending Axar Patel a bit earlier’ - Skipper David Warner opens up on DC’s batting dilemma

Delhi Capitals suffered their sixth defeat in the ongoing IPL 2023 season, as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat them by nine runs on Saturday, April 29, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. With that, their tactics once again came under the scanner as, despite being in form, Axar Patel was asked to wait as the home team sent Priyam Garg and Sarfaraz Khan ahead of the southpaw, which left fans baffled on social media platforms.

While Garg managed to score 12 off nine deliveries, Sarfaraz once again had a horrendous outing, scoring nine off ten balls. Notably, their innings eventually put a lot of pressure on the Capitals, who were 115/3 after 12.3 overs. Thus, they were very close to victory, but courtesy of some questionable decisions, the Capitals ended up losing the match by a whisker. 

Meanwhile, explaining the reason behind the decision, DC skipper David Warner revealed that it was a tough call but ended up accepting that the team could have promoted Axar as he has the much-needed form and experience.

“He's in good touch, but for us, we got off to a good start. With him in the back end, we knew it was going to be vital with spinners spinning into left handers. We only had myself and Axar (among left-handed batters). Holding Axar for the back-end, it can be difficult, but there are challenges that present us when we are in that moment. Maybe we could think about sending him a bit earlier,” Warner was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Notably, the 29-year-old ended up smashing 29* runs off 14 deliveries and thus, if he could have spent more time in the middle, Axar could have won the game for Delhi. However, with the loss, DC remain at the bottom of the IPL Points Table, while Sunrisers Hyderabad earned a promotion and moved up to number eight. Meanwhile, DC will next play against Gujarat Titans on May 2, while SRH will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at their den on May 4.