Age is just a number—unless you’re David Warner. On Saturday night at Engie Stadium, the 39-year-old Aussie legend rewrote the Big Bash League history books with a breathtaking, unbeaten 130 off just 65 balls, leading Sydney Thunder to a mammoth 205/4 against Melbourne Stars. But this wasn’t just another flashy innings. This knock carried monumental weight: it tied Warner with Virat Kohli for the most centuries by any player in men’s T20 cricket globally—and pushed him past Rohit Sharma in the all-time standings .
Table of Contents
- Warner Makes BBL History with Explosive Century
- David Warner BBL Record: Equals Kohli, Surpasses Rohit
- Breakdown of the Innings: Sixes, Fours, and Flawless Timing
- How This Ranks Among BBL Greats
- What This Means for Warner and T20 Cricket’s Future
- Conclusion: A Legend Defies Time
- Sources
Warner Makes BBL History with Explosive Century
David Warner’s 130* wasn’t just the highest score of BBL 2025—it was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Facing a depleted Melbourne Stars attack, Warner unleashed a barrage of boundaries: 11 fours and 9 sixes, all while maintaining a strike rate of 200. His innings anchored Sydney Thunder’s total and left social media buzzing with praise from fans and fellow cricketers alike.
What made this knock even more remarkable was its context. Warner hadn’t scored a T20 century since 2022. Critics had begun questioning whether he could still dominate at the highest level, especially in a format increasingly ruled by 20-something power-hitters. On Saturday, he silenced them all in the most emphatic way possible.
David Warner BBL Record: Equals Kohli, Surpasses Rohit
The real significance of Warner’s century lies in where it places him on the global T20 stage. With this innings, he now has 5 international and franchise T20 centuries, tying him with India’s Virat Kohli for the most in men’s cricket history . More strikingly, he has now overtaken Rohit Sharma—who has 4 T20 centuries—despite both Indian stars being widely regarded as modern T20 greats.
Here’s a quick look at the updated leaderboard:
| Player | T20 Centuries |
|---|---|
| David Warner (AUS) | 5 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 5 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 4 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 4 |
This milestone cements Warner’s legacy not just as an Australian icon, but as one of the true pioneers of T20 batting—right alongside Kohli, despite their vastly different styles.
Breakdown of the Innings: Sixes, Fours, and Flawless Timing
Warner’s 130* was methodical yet explosive. He started cautiously, scoring just 22 off his first 15 balls, before shifting gears with surgical precision. Between overs 7 and 15, he plundered 89 runs—an astonishing rate that included 7 of his 9 sixes.
His favorite targets were short balls and length deliveries outside off stump, which he dispatched with trademark pull shots and cover drives. Notably, he didn’t rely on reverse sweeps or scoop shots—his entire innings was built on classical, clean striking, proving that fundamentals still win games in the age of innovation.
How This Ranks Among BBL Greats
Warner’s 130* is now the second-highest individual score in BBL history, just behind Glenn Maxwell’s 154* for Melbourne Stars in 2021 . It’s also the highest score by a player aged 39 or older in any major T20 league worldwide—a record that may stand for years.
More impressively, it was Warner’s first BBL century, achieved in his 158th match. That patience and consistency speak volumes about his longevity. While younger stars chase quick fame, Warner has built a career on resilience—a trait that continues to pay dividends.
What This Means for Warner and T20 Cricket’s Future
Could this be a prelude to a shock T20 World Cup 2026 comeback? While Warner has officially retired from international T20s, this innings has reignited speculation. His physical fitness, shot selection, and mental sharpness suggest he’s far from done.
For T20 leagues globally, Warner’s performance is a powerful reminder that experience trumps youth. As franchises scramble to sign the next 19-year-old sensation, veterans like Warner prove that cricket IQ and composure under pressure are irreplaceable assets.
For fantasy cricket managers, this is a golden alert: keep an eye on [INTERNAL_LINK:bbl-fantasy-tips-2026]—players like Warner consistently outperform their age-based projections.
Conclusion: A Legend Defies Time
David Warner’s 130* wasn’t just a run-fest—it was a statement. At 39, he’s not riding on nostalgia; he’s setting new benchmarks. By equalling Virat Kohli’s T20 century record and surpassing Rohit Sharma, Warner has etched his name deeper into cricketing immortality. In an era obsessed with the next big thing, Warner reminds us that legends don’t fade—they evolve, adapt, and occasionally, they drop a 200-strike-rate century to prove they’re still the boss.