IPL 2017: David Warner hits record 34th fifty in Sunrisers Hyderabad win

David Warner, captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, scored his 34th IPL fifty en route to scoring an unbeaten 70 against Kings XI Punjab and set a new record.

Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner on Monday became the player with most number of half-centuries (34) in the Indian Premier League after he scored an unbeaten 70 in their five-run win against Kings XI Punjab in Hyderabad. (MATCH HIGHLIGHTS)

David Warner played a captain’s knock of 70* for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kings XI Punjab in the 2017 Indian Premier League match held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday. (BCCI)

Before the match, he was tied with Gautam Gambhir at 33 fifties but the effort steered him into the sole first position. He also has two centuries. Warner, who had a poor Test series against India recently, has had a good outing in this year’s IPL so far. (SCORECARD)

But this innings will certainly feature among the top as Kings XI Punjab bowlers were pressuring Sunrisers Hyderabad on a slow pitch. Warner however didn’t lose his calm as he steadily guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a defendable 159/6.

He now has two scores in 70s and a 49 in five matches he has played in the edition till date. Warner was the second highest run-getter last year with over 800 runs.

Among the others in the half-centuries list are Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina with 29 each and India and RCB skipper Virat with 27 half-centuries.

Before the start of IPL season, SRH coach Tom Moody had shrugged off concerns of poor form saying Warner needed one good knock to get back. That came against Gujarat Lions (76*) in only the second match of the tournament.