David Warner just rewrote T20 history—and he did it in vintage style. On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Australian explosive opener blasted an unbeaten 110 in the Big Bash League (BBL), notching his 10th career T20 century and leapfrogging India’s Virat Kohli to claim sole possession of third place on the all-time list of most T20 hundreds .
This wasn’t just another innings. It was a statement—a reminder that even at 39, Warner remains one of the most destructive forces in short-format cricket. And with eight centuries already in this single BBL season alone, he’s shattered his own record for the most in a domestic T20 campaign.
Table of Contents
- Warner’s Century That Broke the Record
- David Warner T20 Centuries: Climbing the Elite Ladder
- Warner vs Kohli: A Tale of Two T20 Titans
- How Warner Dominated the BBL 2025-26 Season
- Other Key Moments: Starc Returns, Curran Shines
- What This Means for Warner’s Legacy
Warner’s Century That Broke the Record
Playing for the Sydney Sixers, Warner faced off against a young but spirited attack and dismantled it with surgical precision. His 110* came off just 62 balls and included 12 boundaries and 6 towering sixes. He reached his ton in the 18th over, triggering fireworks at the Sydney Cricket Ground .
More impressively, this knock was his eighth century of the BBL 2025-26 season—a feat no player has ever come close to achieving in any major T20 league. It underscores his unmatched consistency and hunger, even after decades at the top.
David Warner T20 Centuries: Climbing the Elite Ladder
With this latest ton, Warner now sits firmly at number three on the global list for most T20 centuries:
| Rank | Player | T20 Centuries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 14 |
| 2 | Brendon McCullum | 12 |
| 3 | David Warner | 10 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | 9 |
The David Warner T20 centuries milestone is especially significant because unlike Gayle or McCullum—who built their tallies across global leagues—Warner has achieved this primarily while representing Australia and the Sixers, with minimal stints abroad.
Warner vs Kohli: A Tale of Two T20 Titans
The rivalry between Warner and Kohli transcends formats. While Kohli leads in ODIs and Tests, Warner has now edged ahead in T20 tons—a format where aggression often trumps accumulation.
Kohli’s nine T20 centuries include masterclasses for RCB and India, but he hasn’t scored one since 2022. Meanwhile, Warner shows no signs of slowing down. Their contrasting styles—Kohli’s elegant timing vs Warner’s brutal power—make this statistical shift even more fascinating for fans.
How Warner Dominated the BBL 2025-26 Season
Warner’s BBL campaign has been nothing short of legendary:
- Averaging 68.40 with a strike rate of 152+
- 8 centuries in 12 innings—the highest by any player in a single T20 season worldwide
- Leading run-scorer by a massive 210-run margin
Coaches and analysts attribute his form to a simplified batting approach: “He’s stopped chasing perfection,” said former Aussie opener Michael Slater. “Now he just sees ball, hits ball—and enjoys every second.”
Other Key Moments: Starc Returns, Curran Shines
The match wasn’t just about Warner. Mitchell Starc made a dramatic return to the BBL after an 11-year absence, bowling with pace and hostility in his four-over spell. Though expensive (0/42), his presence energized the crowd and signaled a potential late-career revival in domestic cricket.
Meanwhile, England all-rounder Sam Curran continued his stellar form for the Sixers, claiming 3 crucial wickets—including that of a dangerous middle-order hitter—to restrict the opposition to a chaseable total.
What This Means for Warner’s Legacy
David Warner’s rise to third on the all-time David Warner T20 centuries list isn’t just about numbers—it’s about longevity, adaptability, and relentless passion.
While many assumed his best days were behind him post-international retirement, Warner has proven that age is just a number when you’ve got fire in your belly and a bat in your hand. As he eyes Chris Gayle’s record of 14 centuries, one thing is clear: the Big Bash isn’t just a retirement league—it’s Warner’s personal stage for greatness.
And if Virat Kohli is watching? He might just be inspired to lace up his boots again.
Sources
- Times of India: Warner goes past Virat Kohli to move to number three in elite T20 list
- ESPNcricinfo Stats: T20 Centuries Leaderboard
- Big Bash League Official Site: BBL 2025-26 Match Center
- [INTERNAL_LINK:david-warner-bbl-career-stats]
- [INTERNAL_LINK:virat-kohli-t20-record-analysis]