Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has heaped praise on David Warner, saying that the Australia star does not get credit for his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The left-handed batsman, who has faced criticism in recent times for his poor performance with the bat, is gearing up to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 in absence of Rishabh Pant. Warner is one of the most decorated batsmen in the history of IPL and undoubtedly the most successful overseas batsman in the competition.
He is presently third in the list of highest run-scorer in IPL behind Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. He is also third in the list of most fours hit by a player in IPL and the best batting average. He has hit more fifties than anyone in IPL and is at the fourth spot in the list of most centuries scored.
Overall, Warner has played 162 matches in IPL so far and has scored 5,881 runs with the help of 55 fifties and 4 centuries. He has also made his mark as a captain in the competition, having led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first and till date only IPL title in 2016.
Mohammad Kaif praises David Warner:
As Warner gears up for another IPL season, Mohammad Kaif has lavished praise on him. Speaking to Star Sports, Kaif said that Warner can win matches single-handedly and is a proven legend in the IPL. He stated that Warner will be Delhi Capitals’ strength in IPL 2023.
“The team’s strength for me, I’ll always say is Warner. He is the kind of player that, whenever he’s in form, he can win matches single-handedly. Warner probably never gets the credit he deserves but he’s proven to be a legendary batter in IPL history,” said Mohammad Kaif.
“He has understood the Indian conditions supremely well. He’s been playing in India for a while. So for me, Warner is the X factor. Delhi needs to decide who’s going to replace Rishabh Pant. It will be a daunting question,” Mohammad Kaif added.
Warner returned to the Delhi Capitals side last year after a gap of 13 years and made an instant impact. The southpaw scored 432 runs at a strike rate of 150.52. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will open their campaign in IPL 2023 against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
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