Ricky Ponting 'hopeful' of David Warner's availability for DC's clash against RCB
IPL 2024: Ricky Ponting was hopeful of David Warner being available for DC's match against RCB in Bengaluru. Warner had suffered an injury in his hand and has not featured in the last 5 matches for DC.
In Short
- Ricky Ponting gives update on David Warner's hand injury
- Ponting hopeful of Warner being available for DC's match against RCB
- Amidst the one-match ban on Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel to lead DC
DC team's head coach talked about David Warner's availability for the match against RCB. Ponting was hopeful that the explosive opener will be available for selection for DC's must-win encounter. Warner has not featured in the last 5 matches for the Capitals. He had suffered an injury to his thumb during the match against LSG on April 12.
Ponting, while speaking to the media in the pre-match press-conference, mentioned Warner's chances of making a comeback into the team. He gave an update on Warner's fitness and mentioned that the batter has been recovering really well. Ponting said that the DC opener trained really hard and has engaged in batting practice.
"David Warner missed the last game, he got that nasty knock on his hand about a month ago now and hasn't played a game since. He trained really strongly yesterday, he'll be out hitting balls in the middle now, so he'll be doing some more batting today. Hopefully, he's available for selection for tomorrow," Ponting said.
IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule
HAVE DC MISSED WARNER'S SERVICES?
Warner suffered a huge blow on his thumb and Ponting had revealed that Warner's X-ray had come back all clear but there was a lot of swelling around the knuckle area on the left hand.
In Warner's absence, Jak Fraser-McGurk got the chance to open for DC and has been sensational ever since. Fraser-McGurk has played 7 matches for DC and has scored 309 runs at a staggering strike rate of 235.88. He has been averaging 44.14 with 4 fifties, 2 of which have been the fastest fifties of the season from just 16 balls. Fraser-McGurk was accompanied by Abhishek Porel at the top, who has been given plenty of opportunities this season.
DC have been dealt with a blow as Rishabh Pant has suffered a one-match ban against RCB for committing slow over-rate offence for the 3rd time this season. Axar Patel has been named as the stand-in captain for DC's clash against RCB. In Pant's absence, it will be interesting to see if Warner will get a go in the match and if DC will tinker with their combination.