Most runs in T20 World Cup: Kohli, Jayawardene in the 1000-run club

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli currently holds the record for scoring the most runs in T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli has amassed 1,141 runs in 27 matches at a stellar average of 81.50. The former Indian skipper has struck 13 fifties, striking at over 130. His highest score is an 89 not-out against West Indies in the 2016 edition of the marquee tournament.

The talismanic batter also holds the record for the most runs in a single T20 World Cup, smashing 319 runs in six matches during the 2014 edition. 

Second on the list of most runs in T20 World Cup is former Sri Lanka cricket team batsman Mahela Jayawardene.

Having featured in five editions of the T20 World Cup between 2007 and 2014, Jayawardene amassed 1,016 runs in 31 matches at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74.

The ex-Sri Lanka captain was the highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup 2010 in the Caribbean as he scored 302 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 60.40 while also maintaining a strike rate of 159.78. Interestingly, Jayawardene became the first Sri Lankan to score a ton in T20 World Cups when he achieved the feat against hosts West Indies in 2010.

The current Team Mumbai coach was also an integral member of the Sri Lanka team that won the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2014. 

Next up West Indies’ swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle, who has hit the most sixes in T20 cricket, is third on the list. The southpaw has accumulated 965 runs in 33 matches at an average of 34.46 and a strike rate of 142.75.

Jayawardene’s former teammate Tillakaratne Dilshan and current Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma complete the top five list for the most runs in T20 World Cup.

Most runs in T20 World Cup

ICC T20 World Cup 2007: Matthew Hayden

Former Australia left-handed opening batsman Matthew Hayden scored the most runs in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa. Hayden amassed 265 runs in six matches at a staggering average of 88.33 and a strike rate of 144.80. The hard-hitting batsman notched up four fifties in the tournament. Interestingly, Australia were knocked out by eventual champions India in the semi-final.

ICC T20 World Cup 2009: Tillakaratne Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan was the highest run-getter in the ICC T20 World Cup in England in 2009. Opening the batting for Sri Lanka, the right-hander scored 317 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.83 and a strike rate of 144.74. He played an important role in Sri Lanka reaching the final before they lost to Pakistan in the summit clash at Lord’s.

ICC T20 World Cup 2012: Shane Watson

Former Australia cricket team opener Shane Watson aggregated the most runs in the ICC T20 World 2012 in Sri Lanka. Watson pipped Mahela Jayawardene by six runs to finish as the highest run-getter in the tournament. Watson scored 249 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 150 and also maintained a healthy average of 49.80. Australia were eliminated by eventual champions West Indies in the T20 World Cup’s semi-final.

ICC T20 World Cup 2014: Virat Kohli

India star batsman Virat Kohli scored the most runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 held in Bangladesh. Kohli was in staggering form in the 2014 edition, amassing 319 runs in six matches at an average of 106.33 and a strike rate of 129.14. He registered four half-centuries in the marquee event, including fifties against South Africa and Sri Lanka in the semi-final and final respectively. However, India suffered a heartbreaking loss to Sri Lanka in the final.

ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Tamim Iqbal

Bangladesh’s swashbuckling opener Tamim Iqbal was the top scorer in the 2016 edition of T20 World Cup in India. The southpaw edged Virat Kohli as the highest run-getter, accumulating 295 runs in six matches at an average of 73.75 and strike rate of 142.51. Tamim had also smashed a T20 hundred against Oman in a Group A encounter. Unfortunately, Bangladesh were knocked out in the Super 10s of the tournament.

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam pipped Australia's swashbuckling opener David Warner to finish as the highest run-getter in T20 World Cup 2021 held in UAE and Oman. Azam amassed 303 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 60.60 while also maintaining a strike rate of 126.25. The 27-year-old registered four half-centuries in the marquee T20 tournament.

ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Virat Kohli

Having finished as the highest run-getter in 2014, former India captain Virat Kohli was the top run-scorer yet again in the 2022 edition, accmulating 296 runs in six games at a brilliant average of 98.66 and strike rate of 136.40. He smashed four fifties in the process, which was the highest among all the batters. 

Photo credit: Brenton EDWARDS / AFP