On that very day in 2012, David Warner was largely remembered for his classy play and leadership with Sunrisers Hyderabad, but it was during his Damascus days that Delhi Capitals made him a sensation in the IPL. Before flipping the bugle for the Sunrisers, he first made a big name with the erstwhile Delhi Daredevils.
On this day 13 years ago, Warner gave a blessing for Delhi during IPL 2012. He scored an unbeaten 109 runs off just 54 balls to see his Delhi team home against Deccan Chargers at Hyderabad. Warner thrashed the Chargers’ bowling attack mercilessly impaling 10 fours and 7 sixes. Even though Delhi was chasing a tough target of 188, Warner’s brilliance saw his team march home with nine wickets in hand and more than three overs to spare.
Delhi lost their skipper Virender Sehwag for just 4 in the opening stages of the innings but Warner was never troubled by this. His strike rate of 201.85 took the game away from the Chargers and powder-puffed them all over Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, which later became his home with Sunrisers.
Warner also had an excellent partnership with wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, who put in a solid 64 off 46 balls. They saw Delhi through to the 17th over with Ojha sealing the deal with a six. Ojha’s innings were useful, but there was no contest to who was the man of the hour. Warner was adjudged the Player of the Match for an innings that outshone the best efforts of DC’s Shikhar Dhawan (84) and Cameron White (65). Just after a year David Warner was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad who went on to become Champions in 2016 under his leadership.
