Top 5 Innings of David Warner in IPL Matches
Although a century is not that uncommon a sight in the IPL, it is much rarer to see a batsman score more than one ton in the tournament. It’s even more unlikely for a batsman to score four, which is exactly what David Warner has done in his IPL career. A destructive opening batsman, Warner has scored two tons each for Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad along with a number of other excellent knocks that make him a true IPL great.
Add to his centuries the fact that Warner is also an IPL-winning captain and you see just how effective he has been in the tournament since it started in 2008. Part of one of the tournament’s most destructive opening partnerships alongside Jonny Bairstow, Warner will be hoping to get back to his big-hitting ways when the IPL kicks off once again in 2020. Till then, let’s take a look at the top 5 innings of David Warner in IPL matches to date.
5. 93* (58) vs Gujarat Lions (2016)
The only knock on this list of the top 5 innings of David Warner in IPL matches that isn’t a three-figure knock is his unbeaten 93 off 58 balls that he scored against Gujarat Lions in 2016. Batting first, the Lions posted 162/7 in 20 overs, with Warner’s compatriot and opening partner in the Australian national side, Aaron Finch, scoring a half-century. In reply, however, Warner blew the Lions out of the water even as his Sunrisers Hyderabad side struggled to find any form. The Australian carried the bat in the second innings, hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes as he took his side to the 4-wicket win with 4 balls to spare. Unsurprisingly, Warner was awarded the man of the match award for his efforts.
4. 100* (55) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (2019)
Next up on this list of the top 5 innings of David Warner in IPL matches is his most recent century in the tournament, a blistering knock scored against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019. Batting first, Warner and his SRH opening partner Jonny Bairstow wreaked havoc from the first ball, putting on a partnership of 185 for the first wicket. While Bairstow departed for 114 off 56 balls, Warner stayed unbeaten on 100 off 55, hitting 5 fours and 5 sixes in his knock as SRH posted 231/2 in 20 overs. RCB never got back into the encounter after the opening onslaught and were bundled out for a meagre 113 in 19.5 overs, giving SRH a huge 118-run win.
3. 107* (69) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2010)
The next entry on this list of the top 5 innings of David Warner in IPL matches is his first-ever century in the tournament, scored for Delhi Daredevils against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2010. Delhi batted first, with Warner opening the innings with Virender Sehwag in tow. Although he lost Viru early on, Warner kept going on his merry way as wickets fell around him. His magnificent 107* off 69 balls included 9 fours and 5 sixes, ably supported by Paul Collingwood’s 53 low down the order. In reply to Delhi’s 177/4, KKR could only manage 137/9 in their innings, giving Delhi the win by 40 runs and Warner another man of the match award.
2. 109* (54) vs Deccan Chargers (2012)
Another knock for Delhi Daredevils on this list, this time coming against his current side in their avatar as Deccan Chargers in 2012. Led by half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White, the Chargers posted a challenging 187/4 in their 20 overs. However, Warner was in no mood to lose, bludgeoning the bowlers to all parts of the ground on his way to 109* off 54 balls, an innings that included 10 fours and 7 sixes. He struck up a great partnership with Naman Ojha, who remained unbeaten on 64, as Delhi overhauled the target in the 17th overs with 9 wickets in hand. Warner was awarded the man of the match award for his excellent century.
1. 126 (59) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2017)
Rounding off this list of the top 5 innings of David Warner in IPL matches is one of his most memorable knocks in the tournament and perhaps one of the best innings in the tournament. It was scored in 2017 against Kolkata Knight Riders when Warner had just moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH were batting first and posted a huge total of 209/3 in their 20 overs, led by Warner’s sparkling 126 off just 59 balls, an innings studded with 10 fours and 8 sixes. A stunned KKR never got going in reply, ending up on just 161/7 in their 20 overs, losing by 48 runs and putting yet another man of the match award on Warner’s IPL record.
