With not too many days remaining before the much-awaited IPL 2023 gets underway, Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has confirmed the openers for the team.
Following the recently-concluded ODI series between India and Australia, there have been suggestions from many quarters that Mitchell Marsh should open the innings ahead of his compatriot David Warner for Delhi Capitals. It all began after Marsh’s stunning display in the ODIs that coincided with Warner’s poor display in India.
Warner endured a tough Test series where he scored 1, 10 and 15 before being ruled out of the series with an injury. In the ODIs, he could not play the first one as he was recovering and Marsh was promoted as an opener. Marsh made the most of the opportunity by smashing quickfire fifties in the first two ODIs while Warner was asked to bat at number 4 when he returned.
In the first ODI, Marsh smashed 81 off just 65 balls before scoring an unbeaten 66 off 36 balls in the second game. In the third game, he scored 47 off as many balls. But while Marsh looked highly impressive as an opener in Indian conditions, Ricky Ponting has confirmed that Warner would continue to open the innings for the franchise.
“I don’t want Warner to bat at No. 4. He has been one of the most successful openers in IPL history. I think we saw the games he played for DC last year.
“He was our leading run-scorer and the number of games that he won with his own batting. And he is such a competitive guy, guy who is going at top of the order and you know he can take the game on and skilful, experienced and he is our leader,” Ricky Ponting told PTI.
Ricky Ponting on Mitchell Marsh’s bowling:
Speaking further, Ricky Ponting also gave an update on the possibility of Mitchell Marsh’s bowling in IPL 2023. The allrounder recently returned from an injury lay-off and did not bowl at all against India. Ponting, however, has stated that Marsh would bowl in the upcoming IPL 2023.
“He will be a top-order batter/all-rounder for us. I think he is coming into the tournament in the best form I have seen him in and he has got three-four months rest in Australia and recovered from ankle surgery he had in November,” Ponting said.
“He has not bowled in games yet but he has been bowling for past 5-6 weeks and his role in this team will be to bowl some overs as well and he knows that and understand that,” he added.
