Top 5 David Warner knocks in T20Is
One of Australia's most accomplished batters, David Warner, had an unceremonious farewell to his illustrious international career after Australia's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite being among the tournament favorites, the Men in Yellow lost their final two games of the Super Eight against Afghanistan and India to exit prematurely before the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Warner, who retired from the other two formats in November 2023 and January 2024, had signaled that the ongoing T20 World Cup would be the last of him wearing the Aussie jersey.
The 37-year-old played his final international innings against India in Australia's last Super Eight game, scoring a run-a-ball six in their 24-run defeat. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Warner had his highs and lows, finishing with 178 runs at an average of 29.66 and a strike rate of 139.06.
Warner will finish his career as Australia's second all-time leading scorer across formats with 18,995 runs and 49 centuries in 383 games.
It was only fitting that the southpaw, who debuted in the T20I format for Australia in 2009 played his final international outing in the shortest format. He is their all-time leading scorer in T20Is with 3,277 runs in 110 games.
David Warner played several breathtaking and match-winning knocks, especially in T20Is during his 15-year international career.
Here, we look at his top five T20I knocks as a celebration of one of the best batters of the generation.
#5 72 off 42 vs India, 2010 T20 World Cup
One of Warner's most forgotten knocks remains his blistering 42-ball 72 against India in the opening game of the Super Eight stage of the 2010 T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Both teams entered the contest unbeaten in the group stages.
Warner took the Indian bowlers to task as Australia batted first and raced away to 100/0 in the 11th over. The champion batter smashed two fours and seven maximums to propel Australia to a massive 184/5 in 20 overs.
The total proved way too many even for the strong Indian batting lineup as they surrendered to a 49-run defeat. It was Warner's second T20 World Cup half-century of his career and went a long way to Australia making a deep run that ended with a loss to England in the grand finale.
#4 77 off 40 vs SA, 2016
For all his accomplishments as an opener, there was a brief period in his T20I career when David Warner batted in the middle order for Australia. Yet, the champion batter showcased his versatility during Australia's three T20I series in South Africa in 2016.
The Men in Yellow were trailing 0-1 and were set a daunting target of 205 in the second T20I in Johanessburg. Warner came into bat with Australia in deep trouble at 28/2 in the 5th over that soon became 32/3.
However, he remained unfazed and mixed caution with aggression in a brilliant knock of 77 from 40 deliveries. Warner was finally dismissed with the side needing 11 from five deliveries but the damage had already been done.
His stunning innings stunned the home fans as Australia completed a last-ball victory to level the series at one apiece.
#3 100* off 60 vs SL, 2019
How can Warner's lone T20I century not make the list, irrespective of the circumstances or the opponent? Despite being the prohibited favorites for the home T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2019, the swashbuckling batter thrilled the Adelaide crowd with his fireworks in the series opener.
Warner smashed 100* off 56 deliveries with 10 boundaries and four maximums as Australia finished on a formidable 233/2 in 20 overs. Reeling off his innings, the Lankans surrendered meekly to be bowled out for 99 and suffer a 134-run defeat.
Warner had a series to remember with 217 runs in three innings, including 50+ scores in all three outings, as Australia completed a 3-0 series whitewash.
#2 89* off 43 vs SA, 2009
The entire cricketing world knew David Warner was here to stay when he smashed a stunning 43-ball 89 on his international debut against South Africa in 2009. Facing up to an attack comprising of Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, Warner cut and pulled at will, racing to a half-century off a mere 19 deliveries.
The champion batter finished with seven boundaries and six maximums as the Melbourne crowd realized on that day that a new star was born in Australian cricket.
Warner's belligerence propelled Australia to a massive 182/9 in 20 overs, a total they defended with ease by 52 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.
#1 53 off 38, 2021 T20 World Cup final
For all of Australia's dominance in ICC events, a T20 World Cup title had continually evaded them since the format's inception. Finally, in the 2021 edition, the Men in Yellow set the record straight, thanks largely to David Warner.
After scoring a crucial 49 in the semi-final win over Pakistan, the left-hander was at it again in the grand finale against New Zealand. Chasing a challenging 173 for their maiden T20 World Cup title, Warner scored a sensational 53 off 38 deliveries with 4 boundaries and 3 maximums to help Australia complete the mission by eight wickets in the penultimate over.
He was also the Player of the Tournament for finishing as the second-leading run-scorer with 289 runs at an average of 48 in seven innings.