I can't tell people how to bat: Warner on Indian batters' struggle

After five agonising defeats to kickstart the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, Delhi Capitals are finally off the mark in the points table as they recorded a four-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders at home on Thursday, April 20. 

Chasing 128 runs for the win, Delhi lost six wickets, but captain David Warner was pleased with the performance of the side, especially the bowling unit that helped them bundle out the Knight Riders for 127 runs. 

"I think for any team chasing 128 is quite a low total. There can be a little bit of nerves, and a bit scratchy. After 0-5 in the five games, these games are sometimes hard to win," Warner said in the post-match presentation. 

"The way our bowlers bowled today was absolutely exceptional and outstanding on that wicket because it looked like a 155 165 type of wicket."

The southpaw also added that the team management were keen on drafting Ishant Sharma in the last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, but the veteran speedster was unavailable due to illness. 

"Ishant was supposed to play the last game, but he was, unfortunately, sick with a fever. After the first game we played here, where it seemed a bit, he was definitely in contention to play, and Ishant bowled exceptionally well today," said Warner as the pacer scalped two for 19 on his return to IPL cricket. 

Despite his disciplined bowling, Delhi struggled in the modest run chase as they lost six wickets, with the Indian batters failing to make the most of their opportunities in the tournament. 

"We lost wickets again, too many consecutive wickets, we have to try and work on that, but little things can happen when you are chasing small totals."

"With the rain around, the surface did not get a lot of heat, and it was probably a new ball wicket to score runs once the ball got older, it held up a bit in the wicket," Warner said. 

"We don't really have too many discussions because you have to back your skills, and I can't tell people how to bat. You have to actually work it out.

"If you are going to face bowling, guys who bowl at 150 kmph, you need to have the technique and method to score, and if they are going to keep coming at you and they bowl into your ribcage, you have to find a way to score." he further added. 

The Australian batter also explained the reason behind not practising the short-pitched deliveries much in the nets and stated, "In the nets, it's very difficult to practice; even in Australia, we don't practice short-pitch balls."

"I feel if you practice the short ball all the time in the game, you would be tentative. It's a reaction skill, and you have to remember that the bowlers are going to bowl only one short ball in this format, and that's a good thing for the batsman."

In the six matches, there have been talks about the skipper's strike rate and his inability to take the team off to a flying start. However, he puts that down to taking responsibility of the side as the reason behind the same. 

"There are critics out there to suggest that I have not been batting the way I normally do, but when you do lose three wickets in two overs, and I have faced only three balls, you can't really do anything. 

You got to have some sense of responsibility, and that is just the game. It is about backing yourself and executing your skills," he concluded. 

Delhi Capitals will now lock horns against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an evening encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday, April 24.