After his team’s comprehensive 21-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant showered rich praise on David Warner for his exploits with the bat in a crucial encounter.
Playing against his previous franchise, Warner was determined to do well. The southpaw smashed 92* off 58 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes, to help his team pile up a mammoth 207/3 on the board.
WATCH - David Warner turns right-hander to hit an extraordinary boundary
In the process, the left-handed opener shared an unbeaten 122-run stand for the fourth wicket with Rovman Powell, who finished with 67 not out off 35 balls.
After the game, Pant said Warner’s knock was one of the best he has seen over a period of time for Delhi.
The DC captain also praised Rovman Powell for his brutal knock, comprising 3 fours and 6 sixes.
"The way he paced his innings, it's one of the best innings I've seen over a period of time for Delhi. I don't mind having one or two conversations here or there. In the start, he was not getting runs but we backed him and now he's coming out with flying colours," said Rishabh Pant in a post-match presentation.
The Capitals might have won the game by a handsome margin, but Pant feels they still need improvement in some departments.
"There is always room for improvement, but it's close to a perfect game for us as a batting unit. I was calm about myself. In high chases, the other team needs 10-12 runs per over, it's difficult to hit till the 20th over. I was telling the bowlers to be calm. We are just taking one game at a time and trying to give our 100%. I got out to a full toss, that's part and parcel of the game. Good and important win for us," he added.
Chasing the huge target, the Sunrisers were restricted to 186/8. While some SRH batters got starts but they failed to take the team over the line. Nicholas Pooran was the top scorer with 34-ball 62.
Khaleel Ahmed starred with the ball for DC, taking three wickets by conceding 30 runs in his four overs. Shardul Thakur (2-44) also picked a couple of wickets, including the prized scalp of Pooran while Anrich Nortje (1-35), Mitchell Marsh (1-36), and Kuldeep Yadav (1-40) claimed wicket apiece.
(With ANI inputs)
