David Warner Surpasses Virat Kohli In Remarkable T20 Feat During The Hundred 2025

When David Warner walked off the field at Lord’s, bat tucked under his arm and helmet under his left hand, the crowd rose in appreciation. The scoreboard told a bittersweet story: London Spirit 153/7, chasing 164, fell ten runs short against Manchester Originals. Yet, in the midst of that disappointment, Warner had achieved something monumental — moving past Virat Kohli to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket history.

For a player who bid farewell to international cricket in 2024, this was another reminder that Warner is far from done making headlines.

A Milestone Worth Savouring

Representing London Spirit in The Hundred 2025, Warner arrived at this fixture with 13,474 T20 runs — just 69 shy of Kohli’s tally. By the time he had threaded his twelfth boundary through the packed off-side, the milestone was his.

David Warner: 13,545 runs in 418 innings, SR 140
Virat Kohli: 13,543 runs in 397 innings, SR 134

This was not just a statistical leapfrog; it was the latest chapter in a career defined by consistency, aggression, and an unwavering appetite for runs. Kohli remains active in the IPL with RCB, but has retired from T20 internationals, leaving the two to battle for supremacy on the league circuit.

Most Runs in T20 Cricket (All Competitions)

Chris Gayle – 14,562
Kieron Pollard* – 13,854
Alex Hales* – 13,814
Shoaib Malik – 13,571
David Warner* – 13,545
Virat Kohli* – 13,543

(* denotes active players)

Sitting atop is Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’ whose dominance in T20 cricket remains mythical. Pollard, Hales, and Malik have built careers on adaptability and endurance. Warner now breathes that rarefied air — and at 38, he shows little sign of slowing.

The Hundred 2025: London Spirit vs Manchester Originals

The match itself had the kind of tension that Lord’s crowds savour. Originals posted 164/6, with Laurie Evans providing the late acceleration. The chase began with Warner and Kane Williamson — two contrasting batting stylists — at the crease.

Warner’s innings was a masterclass in pacing. His first boundary came off a crisp square drive off Josh Tongue. By the end of the powerplay, he was 30 off 20, timing everything sweetly. But while Warner stood firm, partners came and went:

Williamson, caught behind for 14.
Turner, bowled for 9.
Daniel Bell-Drummond, run out for 5.

Through it all, Warner played the role of both aggressor and anchor, launching a majestic six over midwicket in the 48th ball of the innings to keep Spirit alive. But as wickets tumbled, the run-rate climbed.

His final tally: 71 off 51 — 12 fours, 1 six, and one standing ovation. Spirit finished at 153/7. The Originals, disciplined in the death overs, sealed a hard-fought win.

Warner’s Longevity and Adaptability

That Warner is still producing match-defining knocks in 2025 speaks volumes about his adaptability. From the brash youngster who debuted in 2009, to a World Cup winner, to now a globe-trotting T20 veteran, he has evolved with the game. His career has spanned:

Power-hitting eras where strike rates ruled.
Tactical phases where anchoring became essential.
The hybrid modern approach — aggression with calculation.

Warner vs Kohli: A Rivalry in Numbers

Though never quite the bitter on-field rivalry some fan narratives suggest, Warner and Kohli have pushed each other statistically for over a decade.

Kohli’s Edge: Superior average (41.2 vs Warner’s 34.8), more centuries in T20 cricket.
Warner’s Edge: Higher strike rate (140 vs Kohli’s 134), more multi-league success.

Where Kohli thrives in building innings and chasing totals, Warner’s trademark is rapid starts that destabilise bowling attacks. Their contrasting styles have fed endless debates — and now, Warner has the numerical edge in runs.

London Spirit’s Campaign Outlook

For London Spirit, Warner’s form is both a blessing and a warning. The blessing: their opener is in prime touch, providing platforms for big totals. The warning: reliance on one player rarely wins titles. With Williamson yet to fire and the middle-order misfiring, Spirit’s playoff hopes will hinge on building partnerships around Warner’s starts.

Pundit Reactions

Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Warner’s feat:

“To be still doing it at this level, against this quality of bowling, says everything about Warner’s professionalism and hunger. People forget — scoring over 13,500 T20 runs isn’t about one great season. It’s about 15 years of excellence.”

Australian great Adam Gilchrist was equally effusive:

“Davey’s reinvented himself three times over in his career. To overtake Kohli is massive — that’s two all-time greats trading punches on the scoreboard.”

The Road Ahead

Warner’s next immediate target will be overtaking Shoaib Malik’s 13,571. Beyond that, the tantalising thought of chasing Alex Hales and even Kieron Pollard will keep him motivated. Gayle’s towering record might remain untouched — but with Warner’s fitness and motivation, nothing is impossible.

For now, his journey symbolises the modern T20 cricketer’s path: a global calendar, multiple franchises, and the capacity to adapt to varied conditions — all while entertaining crowds and inspiring younger players.

Legacy Beyond Numbers

Warner’s career has been colourful, controversial, and ultimately triumphant. From suspension lows to World Cup highs, from Ashes centuries to T20 fireworks, his resilience defines him as much as his boundaries. Surpassing Kohli might be just a statistic on paper — but in the grand theatre of cricket, it is another chapter in a story that refuses to fade.

The Hundred 2025 will remember August at Lord’s not for London Spirit’s loss, but for the sight of David Warner walking back, 71 runs richer, and two runs ahead of Virat Kohli in the all-time T20 run charts. A testament to skill, endurance, and the enduring thrill of cricket’s shortest format.

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