Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj has been in tremendous form this Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite taking a beating against Delhi Capitals (DC), his economy rate is still 7.73 runs per over. Siraj is one of the top contenders for Purple Cap as well with 15 wickets from 10 games. But RCB’s pace bowling spearhead had trouble against underperforming DC openers at Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 6. After a convincing seven-wicket win, Warner explained how they planned to make Siraj not bowl to his strengths.
“Our intention was to take on Siraj, he's been bowling well and taking wickets early. His wickets have been bowled or LBW so we wanted to drag his length back,” Warner said in the post-match presentation.
DC got off to an ideal start in the run chase. Warner took on Siraj in the first over of the innings with two fours. In his second over, Philip Salt hit him for two sixes and a four which was followed by a heated exchange between the two over a wide ball call. In his first two overs, Siraj conceded 28 runs.
Warner lauded Salt for his match-winning 45-ball 87 as he said, “I thought it was a par score, the ball was skidding. But the way we came out led by Phil Salt paved the way.”
Despite Mahipal Lomror's maiden IPL quickfire half-century, Warner praised his bowlers for restricting RCB's score to 181/4 in the absence of South African pacer Anrich Nortje.
“Credit to the way the bowlers bowled, Anrich is not there but Ishant is leading the pack with Khaleel (Ahmed). And Kuldeep (Yadav) and Axar (Patel) as well have been brilliant,” the Australian opener said.
With their fourth win from 10 games, DC are currently placed ninth on the points table. They need to win all of their games to even have a chance to qualify for their playoffs. Warner is hopeful that the team will continue the momentum.
“It is all about momentum, we are finding the right balance at the right time. Now we go to Chennai and try to get a performance there, I know it will be tough,” the southpaw concluded.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
MI batters surrender to CSK bowlers at Chepauk as MS Dhoni's brigade rise to no.2 spot on IPL 2023 points table
Delhi Police arrest Nitish Rana's wife Saachi Marwah's stalkers
CSK vs MI: Rohit Sharma creates embarrassing IPL record after registering another Duck in glitzy league
