IPL 2016 final: Virat Kohli v/s David Warner – the numbers that matter

It’s quite fitting that the IPL final will see Virat Kohli and David Warner – two captains of the same flock – fight it out for the title. The two have a long history of sledging, and Warner is of the old mould as the older Australian team which used to dominate world cricket and were arrogant to boot. Here’s how the two match- up:

The Stats

Virat Kohli’s batting has been absolutely electrifying in this tournament with almost Bradmansque figures. He has scored four hundreds and six half-centuries with a total tally of 919. His average is a mind-boggling 83.54 and strike rate around 151.90. However, Warner hasn’t done too shabbily himself and scored 779 runs which is already more than the highest total scored in a single IPL season (733 by Hussey in 2013 and Gayle in 2012).

David Warner (Innings: 16, Not outs: 3, Runs: 779, Highest: 93*. Average: 59.92, Strike-Rate: 149.23, 100s: 0, 50s: 8, 4s: 80, 6s: 28)

Virat Kohli (Innings: 15, Not outs: 4, Runs: 919, Highest: 113, Average: 83.54, Strike-Rate: 151.90, 100s: 4, 50s: 6, 4s: 78, 6s: 36)

Kohli’s precision v/s Warner’s brute force

Both of them play in a different style. Kohli goes about his job with precision and placement, playing classic cricketing shots. Warner too doesn’t try too many unconventional shots, and relies on his upper body strength to clear the ropes. Both, interestingly, also bring an  intensity onto the field that can overwhelm opposing teams, and also run fast and hard between the wickets.

If both men get going in the final, they could leave the opposition bowling attack decimated in the blink of an eye. Yet they’ll do so with vastly contrasting styles.

Virat Kohli of India and David Warner of Australia confront eachother during day four of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 12, 2014 in Adelaide, Australia. (Getty Images) 

Warner and Kohli have been in the thick on it off the field even though they appear to be fine off it. Both are supreme warriors who transform in the heat of battle, and Kohli even admitted : “He’s pretty easy to talk to off the field. We get along well off the field but on the field both of us are really at each other all the time.”

In fact, Warner was quoted saying: “He texted me the other day, saying he’s coming for the orange cap — and my reply was, I am going to come back and get it off you.”

But you can bet when things get tough, both will be ready to fight it out on the field. Even their captaincy style is similar, and they are brave hearts who like to lead from the front, and back themselves to get their team to a flying start. Both of them have also been praised for their handling of bowlers.

So who will have the final say. We will have to wait and watch.