Who is better in IPL - Virat Kohli or David Warner?

Virat Kohli and David Warner are two of the best batters in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. They have some brilliant records, which will be tough for other batters to break.

Kohli has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the beginning of the IPL. Over the years, he became an epitome of consistency, churning out runs for fun season after season. Meanwhile, David Warner started his career at Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and played his last season at that franchise as well. However, in the middle of his two stints with Delhi, he became an iconic player and captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kohli is the leading run-scorer in IPL history, having amassed 8,509 runs from 263 matches at an average of 39.57 and a strike rate of 132.60. Warner is fourth on this list, having scored 6,565 runs from 184 matches at an average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 139.77. So, the southpaw has a better average and strike rate than the former India skipper. No other overseas batter has more runs than Warner in the IPL.

Kohli and Warner have the joint-highest number of half-centuries (62) in the league. While the former has eight centuries to his name, more than any other cricketer in IPL history, the latter has scored four.

Warner is the only batter in IPL history to win the Orange Cap thrice - 2015, 2017, and 2019. Meanwhile, Kohli has won the coveted cap on a couple of occasions in 2016 and 2024. However, he is well and truly in the race to win the Orange Cap in the ongoing season. Kohli could become the first Indian batter to win Orange Caps in back-to-back seasons.

Also Read: How many ODIs can Virat Kohli play before 2027 World Cup?

Kohli holds the record for scoring the most runs in a particular IPL season. In IPL 2016, he smashed a mind-boggling 973 runs in 16 innings. Meanwhile, Warner has the fourth-highest runs in a single season. This also came in IPL 2016, when the Australian batter smashed 848 runs from 17 innings.

Kohli has the most runs as captain in the IPL. He slammed 4,994 runs in 143 matches as captain. Meanwhile, Warner has the fifth-most runs in the IPL as captain. He scored 3,356 runs from 83 matches at the helm.

Going by stats, it won't be wrong to pick Kohli as the best batter and Warner as the best overseas batter in IPL history.