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Delhi Capitals today announced Australian striker David Warner as the captain for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). Warner is deputizing as skipper for Rishabh Pant, who is currently undergoing rehab and rehabilitation.
Warner started his IPL career with Delhi franchise in 2009 (then Delhi Daredevils) but moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad five years later. He led SRH to the title in 2016, which remains the franchise’s only win in the tournament so far. After falling out with the team management in the 2021 edition, Warner was released from the franchise and eventually returned to Delhi.
In the final match of the tournament, Warner scored 432 runs in 12 matches for the Capitals at a brilliant strike rate of 150.62. He smashed five half-centuries in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder Axar Patel was appointed as the vice-captain of the team. The franchise also announced former India captain Sourav Ganguly as the franchise’s director of cricket. Ganguly was also previously linked with Delhi Capitals in the role of Mentor during the 2019 season.
Speaking about his new role, David Warner said: “Rishabh has been a great leader for Delhi Capitals and we will all miss him. I would like to thank the management for the faith and trust they have always shown in me. This franchise has always been there for me, and I couldn’t be more excited to lead such an incredibly talented group of players. I can’t wait to meet them all and start hacking.”
Meanwhile, Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly said: “I am excited to be back in the capital city of Delhi. My association with the women’s team and the Pretoria Capitals over the past few months has been fantastic and I am looking forward to the upcoming IPL season. Delhi Capitals have been doing well as a team during my last stint with them. This time I’m already involved with the players and I want to see them as a group. Let’s hope we all have a good time over the next few months.”
“This is a very exciting time for the Capitals franchise.” team president and co-owner Part Jindal said of the latest developments
“Between the last IPL and the future, our Capitals family has grown. We are now the proud owner of a team in the current Women’s Premier League and have had successful opening seasons in recent leagues in South Africa and the UAE. In Rishabh’s absence, there could not have been a more suitable candidate to lead the capital of Delhi than David. With him as our leader and Ricky and Dada overseeing all the proceedings, I have no doubt that we will be a team to watch out for in the competition.” he added.
Team co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandi said. “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome David on board as our captain and Dada as our franchise again. They are among the many reasons to look forward to the upcoming IPL season, which also marks the return of fans to the Kila Kotla after a gap of three years. Their presence strengthens our team immensely and we can’t wait to see them fill the stands. I wish everyone all the best for a successful IPL 2023.”
The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) will begin on March 31, 2023. Delhi Capitals will face Lucknow Super Giants in an away match as part of the season opener on 11th April 2023.