IPL 2015 Warner's 126* vs MI

Lore & Background

Warner was signed by Delhi Daredevils in 2009 and played for them until 2013. He moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2014 IPL auction for US$880,000. In 2015, he was appointed captain of the team and ended the season as the tournament's leading run scorer. He continued as captain in 2016, leading the team to its first championship, scoring 69 runs from 38 balls in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Warner finished the 2016 season with 848 runs, the second highest in the tournament. In 2017, he scored 126 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders, breaking his previous career highest IPL score of 109 not out, and finished as the leading run scorer, winning the Orange Cap for the second time.

In Their Own Story

The humid air of Eden Gardens hung heavy over the pitch as Warner walked to the crease. The Mumbai Indians bowlers looked ready, but Warner had other plans. With every boundary, the roar from the crowd grew louder, a tidal wave of sound that seemed to push him forward. He didn't just play shots; he painted them across the field, turning the night into a personal exhibition of cricketing genius.

Reader's Guide

Warner was named captain again for the 2018 season but stepped down following the ball tampering affair in South Africa, and the BCCI banned him from playing during the season. He returned in 2019, scoring 85 runs in his first match and an unbeaten century against Royal Challengers Bangalore two days later. He finished the 2019 season as the leading run scorer with 692 runs. In February 2020, he was reinstated as captain, replacing Kane Williamson. In October 2020, he became the first overseas player and fourth overall to score over 5,000 runs in the IPL, achieving the milestone in 135 innings. In 2021, he was replaced as captain by Williamson after six matches and later dropped from the team. Hyderabad chose not to retain him ahead of the 2022 auction, and he was bought by Delhi Capitals. He captained Delhi in 2023 following an injury to Rishabh Pant. In the 2024 season, he scored only 168 runs across 8 matches and was benched several times. He was released by Delhi Capitals and went unsold in the 2025 IPL auction, and chose not to register for the 2026 IPL auction.

Did You Know?

• Warner holds the record for the most international centuries as an opening batsman across all formats.
• He holds the record for most 50+ scores in T20 cricket.
• He was the Player of the Tournament in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
• He was the first Australian cricketer in 132 years to be selected for the national team without first-class experience.

The Historic Century Against Mumbai

In one of the most electrifying performances in IPL history, David Warner delivered a masterclass against the Mumbai Indians during the 2015 season. This innings saw him score an unbeaten 126 runs, a monumental achievement that stood as his career-best score in the tournament at the time, surpassing his previous high of 109 not out. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Warner's aggressive left-handed batting dismantled the opposition's bowling attack, showcasing the explosive style that had already earned him the Orange Cap award three times throughout his IPL tenure. This specific match highlighted his ability to dominate even against formidable teams like Mumbai Indians, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful overseas batsmen in the league's history. The innings was a pivotal moment for Warner, coming just before he would lead Hyderabad to their maiden title the following year. His performance that day contributed significantly to his status as a run-scoring machine, eventually helping him become the first overseas player and fourth overall to cross the 5,000-run milestone in the IPL, achieving this feat in a record-breaking 135 innings.

A Captain's Rise with Sunrisers Hyderabad

Warner's transition from a prolific run-scorer to a successful leader marked a defining chapter in his career when he was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2015 season. Taking charge of the franchise, which had been acquired by him in the 2014 auction for US$880,000 after leaving Delhi Daredevils, Warner immediately established himself as the tournament's leading run-scorer that year. His leadership reached its zenith in 2016 when he guided the team to their first and only IPL championship title. In the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Warner played a crucial role by scoring 69 runs off just 38 balls, helping secure the victory while finishing the season as the second-highest run-scorer with an impressive 848 runs. This achievement made him only the third Australian captain, following Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne, to win the IPL title. Despite facing challenges later in his tenure, including a temporary suspension due to off-field controversies and eventually being replaced by Kane Williamson, Warner's initial years as skipper laid the foundation for the team's success and cemented his legacy as a transformative figure in Indian Premier League history.

Records and Statistical Dominance

David Warner's career is defined by an unprecedented accumulation of records that highlight his consistency and explosive batting across all formats. He holds the distinction of being the first Australian cricketer in over a century to be selected for the national team without prior first-class experience, a testament to his raw talent developed through domestic cricket with New South Wales. In the IPL specifically, Warner has been a statistical anomaly, winning the Orange Cap three times and scoring over 6,000 runs across multiple seasons. His dominance extends beyond India; he holds the record for the most international centuries as an opening batsman across all formats and possesses the record for the most fifty-plus scores in T20 cricket globally. These achievements were built on a foundation of domestic success, where he broke records for the highest one-day score by a Blues player and set benchmarks in the Big Bash League, including scoring 102 not out from 51 balls in his debut match as Sydney Thunder captain. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level made him a cornerstone of Australian cricket before his eventual retirement from international play in June 2024.

The Ball Tampering Affair and Redemption

Warner's illustrious career faced its darkest hour in March 2018 following an investigation into ball tampering during Australia's Test series against South Africa. The scandal led to his suspension and a one-year ban from all international and domestic cricket in Australia, alongside a permanent ban on holding leadership positions at the time. This controversy had immediate repercussions for his IPL career; he was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the 2018 season while serving as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, forcing him to step down from the role. However, Warner eventually returned to form, playing a key part in Australia's World Cup victories and continuing his dominance in franchise cricket. His path to redemption saw him reinstated as Hyderabad captain in February 2020, where he continued to break records despite the earlier turmoil. The ban on leadership positions was finally lifted in October 2024, just months after he announced his retirement from international cricket following Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup, closing a complex chapter that tested his resilience and love for the game.