Sydney: Australia’s veteran opener David Warner scripted a major milestone in T20 cricket on Friday, overtaking India’s Virat Kohli to move into third place on the all-time list of batters with the most centuries in the format, following a sensational hundred in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Warner’s landmark knock at the SCG

Leading Sydney Thunder, Warner produced a sublime unbeaten 110 off 65 deliveries against arch-rivals Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His innings, laced with powerful strokeplay and calculated aggression, included a flurry of boundaries that kept Thunder competitive despite the team eventually ending up on the losing side.

This was Warner’s second century of the ongoing BBL season and the 10th T20 hundred of his career. With this effort, he moved past Virat Kohli and South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, both of whom had been tied with him on nine T20 centuries prior to the match.

Although Thunder could not defend their total, Warner’s knock once again underlined his enduring quality and ability to dominate attacks even in the latter stages of his career.

Climbing the elite T20 centuries list

With his latest century, Warner now sits third on the list of batters with the most hundreds in T20 cricket. Only two players remain ahead of him: West Indies legend Chris Gayle and Pakistan star Babar Azam.

Gayle, widely regarded as the greatest T20 batter of all time, finished his career with a staggering 22 centuries in the format. Babar Azam, currently second with 11 T20 hundreds, is still just 31 years old and is seen as the most likely candidate to challenge Gayle’s long-standing record in the coming years.

Warner’s rise to third place is significant, given the competitiveness and evolution of T20 cricket over the last decade. His achievement places him among the most consistent and destructive batters the format has produced.

Another century in a losing cause

The match against the Sixers was not the first time this season that Warner’s heroics failed to translate into a win for Sydney Thunder. Earlier in the tournament, he had smashed an unbeaten 130 against the Hobart Hurricanes, only for Thunder to fall short once again.

Such instances have highlighted Thunder’s over-reliance on their captain’s batting, even as Warner continues to deliver standout individual performances. Despite the losses, his form has been one of the major positives for the franchise in the 2025–26 BBL season.

Steve Smith steals the show in the chase

While Warner dominated headlines early, the spotlight eventually shifted to his former Australia teammate Steve Smith, who produced one of the finest knocks in BBL history during the chase.

Smith blazed his way to a breathtaking 100 off just 42 balls, hammering nine sixes and five fours. His innings completely turned the game in favour of the Sixers as they chased down a target of 190 with ease in the high-profile ‘Sydney Smash’.

Opening the innings, Smith stitched together a commanding 141-run partnership with Babar Azam. Babar played a composed supporting role, scoring 47 off 39 balls and ensuring the momentum stayed firmly with the Sixers.

Despite a brief flurry of wickets later in the innings, the Sixers crossed the finish line with 16 balls to spare, significantly boosting their chances of securing a place in the BBL playoffs.

Records tumble in the Big Bash League

Smith’s century also carried historical significance within the BBL. It was his fourth hundred in the tournament, taking him past David Warner and Ben McDermott, both of whom have three BBL centuries each. Smith now holds the record for the most centuries in the history of the league.

Speaking after the match, Smith explained his approach during the chase, particularly during the Power Surge overs. He revealed that he consciously targeted the shorter boundary, a strategy that paid rich dividends as the Sixers plundered over 30 runs in a single surge.

His post-match comments reflected a calm and calculated mindset, praising Warner’s knock while also acknowledging the crucial support he received from Babar at the top of the order.

Warner’s legacy in T20 cricket

Warner’s latest milestone adds another chapter to an already glittering T20 career. Known for redefining the role of an aggressive opener, he has been a pioneer of fearless batting in the shortest format, excelling across leagues such as the IPL, BBL and international T20s.

Even after stepping away from international cricket, Warner’s hunger for runs remains undiminished. His ability to compete with younger players and continue breaking records speaks volumes about his fitness, adaptability and cricketing intelligence.

Conclusion

David Warner’s historic BBL century may not have delivered a win for Sydney Thunder, but it firmly cemented his place among the greatest batters in T20 history. By overtaking Virat Kohli to claim third spot on the all-time T20 centuries list, the Australian left-hander has once again demonstrated his enduring class. As the BBL season progresses, Warner’s form will remain central not just to Thunder’s fortunes, but also to ongoing debates about the finest performers the T20 era has ever seen.