Despite his first-ball dismissal in the team’s previous IPL match against Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals batter David Warner said on Monday at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai that the team has a never-say-die attitude on the field, whether with the ball or bat.
The Australian batter, who has 427 runs in 11 games, added that the team has a hunger and desire to help each other out because we care about the team.
Speaking about their performance, Warner said, “The team has a never-say-die attitude. We are fighters and we play to the best of our abilities, whether it’s with the ball or bat. There’s a hunger and desire to help each other out as we care for each other.”
Warner made vital contributions in the field during their game against Punjab. When asked about his scintillating fielding, he said, “There are two facets of the game for me – batting and fielding. I look to stop ones in the ring and take some catches near the boundary. Fortunately, I got one and it was a great result for us. I get a buzz out of fielding and I try to save runs for the bowlers.”
Sarfaraz Khan, who played a blistering knock of 32 runs from 16 balls, enjoyed the role of an opener, “I had never opened before the game against Punjab Kings so I was looking to enjoy the position. Before I got this opportunity, I had a feeling that I could bat well as an opener and things went according to plan against Punjab.”
The batter also motivated the team after their batting innings, “I wouldn’t have been happy if my innings wouldn’t have helped the team win. The environment within the team is good and we have to play well in one more game to qualify for the playoffs. I was telling everyone in the team after our batting that it’s only a matter of one wicket. If we get one wicket then we’ll be in the game and we kept picking up wickets throughout Punjab’s innings.”
Sarfaraz also spoke about his father’s impact on his cricket career, “The credit goes to my father for whatever I am today. He has driven from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh to take me for games along the way. We made stops in various places such as Madhya Pradesh, Ghaziabad, Mathura and Delhi so that I could play matches and my father has driven around 2500 km for me.”
The Delhi Capitals will take on Mumbai Indians in their last league match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday, May 21.
(Inputs from IANS)