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David Warner makes cricket history with rare feat in IPL knock

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
David Warner, pictured here in action for Delhi Capitals against Punjab Kings in the IPL.
David Warner starred with the bat as Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings in the IPL. Image: IPL

David Warner has become just the second player in IPL history to score 1000 runs against a single team, continuing his blistering form on Wednesday.

The Aussie opener cracked an unbeaten 60 off just 30 balls to guide the virus-hit Delhi Capitals to a nine-wicket win over the Punjab Kings in Mumbai.

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Warner made his 53rd half-century in the IPL and his third contribution of 60-plus in his last four innings.

He and fellow opener Prithvi Shaw made light work of tricky conditions to carry the Aussie's new franchise to their victory target of 1-119 after just 10.3 overs.

In doing so, Warner moved past 1000 runs in his career against Punjab Kings, becoming just the second player in IPL history to do so against a single team.

Asked about his resurgence of form after question marks over whether he is still up to scratch at 35, Warner couldn't resist beaming at the post-match presentation: "Form is temporary, but class is permanent!"

However he reckoned his children weren't as impressed with his recent blistering form that has seen him clock up scores of 61, 66 and 60 not out for the Capitals over the last 10 days.

"They just want to know why I didn't score a hundred! Sixty's not good enough these days," smiled Warner.

"They keep watching Jos (Buttler) score hundreds and ask me questions about why I can't hit the ball out of the park like him!

"It's exciting, it's great that my little ones and little ones around the world can tune in and watch this fantastic tournament."

Delhi Capitals overcome Covid-19 crisis

IPL organisers had to move the match from Pune to Mumbai after several in the Delhi camp, including Warner's Australian teammate Mitchell Marsh, tested positive for Covid-19.

Marsh has been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai, while four members of their support staff are isolating at a facility outside the team hotel.

"It's an unfortunate thing which happened to us," captain Rishabh Pant said at the toss.

"We'll find our strength in each other, and hopefully our players who are infected with Covid will be fine."

It turned out he was right.

David Warner, pictured here after bringing up the 53rd half-century of his IPL career.
David Warner brought up the 53rd half-century of his IPL career. Image: IPL

Delhi spinners Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav shrugged off the absences by sharing six wickets between them to bowl out Punjab for a paltry 115 in perhaps the most one-sided IPL match of the season.

"The bowlers did a fantastic job to make ours easier," Warner said after sharing a brilliant 83-run opening stand with Shaw (41 off 20 balls).

"I'm loving it (batting with Shaw).

"It's incredible how fast his hands are. He sets the tone from ball one."

Warner finished the job by hammering his 10th four off Rahul Chahar to go with the mighty six he had earlier pulled off South African paceman Kagiso Rabada.

Delhi's brisk chase lifted them to sixth place on the points table with six points from six games, while Punjab, who've played seven matches and also won three games, slipped to eighth.

with agencies

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