On Thursday (8th October) evening, during the 22nd match of the IPL 2020 between SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai), SRH captain David Warner created history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During this match, the 33-year-old Australian left-handed opening batsman became the first cricketer in IPL history to register 50+ scores for 50 times.
Before this match, David Warner was obviously one 50+ knock away to became the first cricketer to achieve this special feat in IPL history. After winning the toss, the SRH skipper Warner decided to bat first. Warner and his opening partner Jonny Bairstow provided one of the best starts in the IPL history as they built up the 160 runs partnership for the opening wicket in 15 overs.
While the wicket-keeper batsman Bairstow completed his half-century in 28 balls, Warner reached his 50 runs mark in 37 balls. After completing that fifty with a single on 13.2 overs, Warner became the first batsman in IPL history to register 50+ scores for 50 times.
Top 5 batsmen with most 50+ scores in IPL history
| Player | Nationality | 50+ scores |
| David Warner | Australia | 50 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 42 |
| Suresh Raina | India | 39 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 39 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 38 |
After scoring 52 runs off 40 balls (5 fours and only six), Warner was caught out at long-on (c Glenn Maxwell) in the 16th over as Ravi Bishnoi became the first wicket-taker in this game.
David Warner is 67 runs behind to complete his 5000 IPL runs
After playing 132 IPL matches (including the 22nd match of the IPL 2020), David Warner has scored 4933 runs with an average of 42.89 and strike-rate of 141.46. In his IPL career, the left-handed batsman has scored four centuries and 46 half-centuries. His best IPL knock was 126 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Hyderabad (Deccan) on 30th April 2017.
David Warner started his IPL career in 2009 serving for Delhi Daredevils (presently known as Delhi Capitals). After serving for Delhi franchise till 2013 season, Warner joined his present IPL side SunRisers Hyderabad in 2014 and since then he is continuously playing for this IPL team. Under his captaincy, SRH won their maiden IPL trophy in 2016.