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Cricket News: Delhi Capitals name David Warner as captain for IPL 2023; Axar Patel to be his deputy | Who will be the DC captain in IPL 2023?
Delhi Capitals have declared David Warner as their captain for the 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). All-rounder Axar Patel will be Warner’s deputy as the duo will look to steer the franchise to their maiden IPL title in the absence of their skipper Rishabh Pant.
Warner has previously led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a tournament victory back in IPL 2016. He was at the helm of Delhi Daredevils on an interim basis for some games during his first stint with the now-rebranded franchise from 2009-13. He will be keen to redeem his stature after a frustrating tour to India and following a lost quest of regaining his captaincy credentials amidst a tussle with Cricket Australia (CA).
David Warner named as Delhi Capitals captain for IPL 2023
DC roped in Warner for a reasonable sum of Rs 6.25 crore in the mega auction prior to the previous season of the IPL. He struck a dynamic opening partnership with Prithvi Shaw after missing the initial few games. He notched 432 runs at an average and strike rate of 48 and 150.52 respectively with five half-centuries to his name in 12 games.
He will have added responsibility on his shoulders this time in terms of both batting as well as in the leadership role as Pant continues to recover from the horrific car crash that he suffered on December 30, 2022.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel has been elevated to the role of a vice-captain following the rapid progressive strides that he has taken in his India career. Patel finished as the third-highest run scorer (264) in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was one of the Capitals’ four retentions along with Pant, Shaw and Anrich Nortje ahead of IPL 15. He scored 182 runs and took six wickets in 13 appearances last year and will be looking to put up an improved individual performance under greater responsibility in the coming season.
Further, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly is now set to return to the DC setup as the Director of Cricket Operations. Ganguly had mentored the unit in IPL 2019 but had to step down from the responsibilities after his election as the BCCI boss later that year.
“Excited, honored and thrilled to welcome @SGanguly99 to the @DelhiCapitals family as the Director of Cricket – dada has and will always be the reason I fell in love with this beautiful game and his experience and wisdom will no doubt take us to new heights as a franchise,” JSW Sports Managing Director (MD) Parth Jindal said whilst announcing Ganguly’s arrival.
