Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh is not happy with the performance of the Delhi Capitals (DC), especially their opening combination, and made the bold claim that the team's assistant Shane Watson should come out of retirement and bat for the bottom-placed side.
According to Bhajji, the former Australian all-rounder can do a better job than the duo of Phil Salt and David Warner, who failed to make a big splash in Hyderabad. Before this, Prithvi Shaw was given the responsibility of opening the batting for Delhi, a job he has been doing since he joined the franchise before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.
DC scraped to a win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday, April 24. Chasing 144 for the win, the ninth-placed SRH only managed 137 in what was a battle of batting masterclass.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda, Harbhajan said that DC should play Watson at the top of their batting order as he had only recently retired and would be of use to the franchise. "I'm saying that DC should also play Shane Watson, he recently retired, and the way with which DC's opening is going these days, he will be of use, and a better choice as well," said Harbhajan.
The former India star also heaped praise on the in-form Axar Patel, as well as veteran Manish Pandey, for the way they helped in the rebuilding of the team and helping DC reach what turned out to be a formidable total of 144 in their allotted 20 overs.
"It seemed as if DC scored 25-30 runs less in the first innings on this pitch. The DC batters did not contribute much, the recovery from 62-5 was incredible from Axar Patel and Manish Pandey."
"Credit to Axar Patel and Manish Pandey, they played really well and took the total to 144. DC might have thought that they can defend this, but they knew they will have to bowl really well. Ishant Sharma bowled a great spell upfront and Harry Brook's bat has not been talking since that hundred," said Harbhajan.
Harbhajan also lauded the DC spinners for their contributions in the fag end of the inning and said that DC's confidence should rise after the win against SRH. "Spinners also have to be applauded for their efforts. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bowled really well. They did not give runs in the middle overs and took three wickets together as well. DC's confidence should rise after this, but I think DC are a much better team than this."
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