IPL 2023: Ricky Ponting counting on captain David Warner to win first title for Delhi Capitals

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Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has backed team’s new captain David Warner to deliver on the expectations.

Talking to the media ahead of the IPL 2023 which starts from March 31, Ponting has explained why DC appointed Warner as the captain.

He said that he was picked for Delhi in the previous season for his vast experience and in the absnece of Rishabh Pant his appointment as captain was a no-brainer.

The former Australia captain also mentioned that teams with strong leaders have been successful in the IPL and Warner, who led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to their maiden title in 2016, has all the potential to hand Delhi their first-ever title in the league which is entering its sixteenth season.

"He has been around the Australian team for a number of years. We wanted to pick him in the auction before our last campaign. Obviously he was the captain before and he has a whole lot of experience on the field.

"He got a whole lot of experience on the field. Axar Patel was the vice-captain under Rishabh Pant here and we decided to make him one of the captains of the franchise. He brings a lot of passion, a lot of skill, he brings a lot of experience and has led SRH to a title. Successful IPL teams always throughout history had good, strong leaders and that's the goal at DC," Ponting said while addressing the media on Friday.

IPL 2023: Third captain in three years for Delhi

Delhi Capitals have seen three captaincy changes in the last three seasons. Rishabh Pant took the charge after the injury of Shreyas Iyer ahead of the IPL 2021. Pant has now been ruled out of IPL 16 six due to multiple injuries following a fatal car crash in December last year. Warner is now taking the baton for the upcoming season. All-rounder Axar Patel has been named as Warner's deputy for IPL 2023.

The side has qualified for play-offs three times in the last four seasons. Delhi play their first match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1.