Stats: Most runs as skipper in an IPL season

2. David Warner – 848 runs (2016)

Warner’s batting heroics helped SRH clinch the IPL title in 2016

The 2016 IPL was a battle between two captains – RCB’s Virat Kohli and SRH’s David Warner – who were scoring runs for fun while leading their sides to the summit clash of the tournament. Though Warner missed out on the Orange Cap to his counterpart, it was the Australian who had the last laugh as his side came out on top in a thrilling final.

The year 2016 was a golden year for Warner at the international level as well as he became the first Australian to register six ODI centuries in a calendar year eventually scoring 1232 runs in the year. But it was at the IPL that Warner really stood out.

While the world was well aware of his attacking prowess, it was Warner the skipper who grabbed eyeballs even leading to suggestions that he should replace Steven Smith as skipper of the Australian T20 side.

Warner led from the front scoring 848 runs from 17 matches at an average of 60.57, scoring his runs at a strike rate of above 150. The measure of his consistency can be assessed by the fact that he scored nine 50+ scores.

He impressed in the final as well, scoring 69 off just 38 balls as his side scored 208 runs batting first and eventually went on to win the match and thus the IPL title.