Who Scored the Most Runs in T20 World Cup History?

From 2012 to 2024, the iconic Indian batsman reached 15 half-centuries thanks to 111 fours and 35 sixes.

His top score in T20 World Cups was 89* and he was ‘not out’ 11 times in the tournament.

Kohli also holds the distinction of the most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup, having scored 319 runs in the 2014 edition.

Per BBC Sport, he retired from the international T20 format in 2024 after India’s second title win.

The Indian opening batsman, who also retired from the format internationally last year, reached 12 half-centuries in T20 World Cups, amassing 115 fours and 50 sixes.

His highest score in the competition was a knock of 92 and he was ‘not out’ nine times.

Sharma, also known for his efforts with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, jumped up two places after his outing at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

In third place is the former Sri Lankan batsman, who competed in five editions of the T20 World Cup and is the first on the list to have scored a tournament century, as captured by the ICC.

Jayawardene scored 111 fours and 25 sixes, and was ‘not out’ five times.

Notably, the Sri Lankan legend was the tournament’s top scorer in the 2010 edition with 302 runs, with his country exiting at the semi-final stages.

As the only active player in the top five, the England batsman and wicket keeper is the only cricketer who could surpass Kohli at the top.

Buttler is also the second centurion among the tournament’s top five scorers.

He has struck 91 fours and 43 sixes in T20 World Cups, was ‘not out’ 10 times, and his tournament best score was 101*.

Could the 2026 edition of the tournament see Buttler reach the summit?

In the inaugural 2007 edition in South Africa, former Australia left-handed opening batsman Matthew Hayden stood out as the highest run-scorer.

Hayden amassed an impressive 265 runs in six matches at an average of 88,33 with a strike rate of 144,80, showcasing his hard-hitting skills.

Despite his efforts, Australia faced a setback when they were knocked out in the semi-final by eventual champions India.

Moving to the 2009 T20 World Cup in England, it was Tilakaratne Dilshan from Sri Lanka who stole the show with his batting prowess.

Dilshan, opening for his team, scored 317 runs in seven matches at an average of 52,83 and a strike rate of 144,74, playing a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s journey to the final, where they ultimately lost to Pakistan at Lord’s.

In the 2010 edition of the T20 World Cup, hosted in the West Indies, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene made his mark on the tournament and became his country’s first centurion at the tournament.

Jayawardene went on to record 302 runs that year but was unable to help Sri Lanka advance to the final, with England taking the spot with a narrow win.

The 2012 edition in Sri Lanka saw former Australian opener Shane Watson emerging as the highest run-scorer.

Watson scored 249 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 150 and an average of 49,80, narrow edging out Mahela Jayawardene.

However, Australia’s campaign ended in the semi-final against eventual champions West Indies.

In 2014, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli took centre stage as the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup held in Bangladesh.

Kohli’s phenomenal form saw him amass 319 runs in six matches at an astonishing average of 106,33 and a strike rate of 129,14, including crucial innings in the semi-final and final.

Despite Kohli’s heroics, India fell short against eventual champions Sri Lanka.

The 2016 edition in India witnessed Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal emerge as the top scorer, edging out Kohli.

Tamim accumulated 295 runs in six matches at an average of 73,75 and a strike rate of 142,51, displaying his explosive batting style with a memorable century against Oman.

However, Bangladesh could not progress beyond the Super 10s stage.

In the 2021 T20 World Cup held in the UAE and Oman, Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam shone as the highest run-getter.

Azam’s stellar performance saw him amass 303 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 60,60 and a strike rate of 126,65, guiding his team with four half-centuries.

Pakistan would eventually exit the tournament in the semi-finals against Australia.

In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli reclaimed his position as the top run-scorer with 296 runs in six games at an exceptional average of 98,66 and a strike rate of 136,40, showcasing his consistency and class on the world stage once again.