David Warner created history in the IPL 2020 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Warner hammered 52 off 40 balls and it was his ninth consecutive fifty against Kings XI Punjab. However, this was eclipsed by an even greater achievement. This was David Warner’s 46th IPL fifty and he created history as he became the first individual to hit 50 scores of 50+ in the IPL. In addition to David Warner’s 46 fifties, he also has four hundreds.
Warner is the only batsman to score 50 scores of 50+ in the history of the IPL, with Virat Kohli a distant joint-second with 42 scores of fifty-plus with Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma joint-third with 38 such scores. Chris Gayle has the most centuries with six while Virat Kohli is second with five centuries, including four in one edition alone in 2016. When it comes to fifties, David Warner is the clear leader with 46.
Yet another batting masterclass
David Warner and Jonny Bairstow put on yet another batting masterclass as they registered a 160-run partnership for the opening wicket. Bairstow was unlucky to have missed out on his century as he was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi for 97 while Warner also fell in the same over for 52. In the post-match presentation, Warner spoke about how he enjoyed batting with Bairstow.
“We love batting with each other. We pride ourselves in running hard between wickets. At the moment, I am just rotating strike for him (Bairstow),” Warner said.
Although Sunrisers Hyderabad had posted a massive 201/6, Warner was still feeling nervous as Nicholas Pooran was clearing the boundary with ease. The West Indies player smashed 28 runs in one over bowled by Abdul Samad but Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Rashid Khan’s brilliant 3/12 helped them dent Kings XI Punjab at regular intervals.
“I was a bit nervous while Nicholas was hitting it over the stands. I have always had high prospects of that kid. I was fortunate to play in Bangladesh with him. You always think, 'What can I do, how can I get him out?',” Warner said. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad had the guile of Rashid Khan to thank as his 3/12, including the wicket of Pooran helped Sunrisers Hyderabad surge to the third spot in the points table.
