Top 10 batters with most runs in T20 World Cup history

In modern limited-overs cricket, massive sixes and towering totals have become almost routine. Batters regularly light up stadiums with fearless stroke play, turning matches into high-scoring spectacles.

But when it comes to the ICC T20 World Cup, the script often changes. The pressure is intense, the stakes are higher, and conditions can be unpredictable. While some players struggle to handle the weight of expectations, others rise to the occasion and deliver performances that make their nations proud.

This article celebrates those exceptional stars who have consistently dominated the biggest T20 stage with their skill, temperament, and match-winning brilliance. 

Here are the top 10 batters with most runs in the T20 World Cup.

10. Kane Williamson - 727 runs

Former Kane Williamson captain Kane Williamson is the only Black Caps player to feature on the list. He has scored 727 runs in the tournament across 27 innings. 

Known for his calm and composed approach, Williamson focused on anchoring the innings and bringing stability to the batting line-up rather than going for big, risky shots. Because of this steady style of play, his strike rate of 112.53 may not seem very high by T20I standards, but his contributions have often been crucial for the team.

9. Quinton de Kock - 757 runs

One of only two active players on the list, Quinton de Kock holds the record for the most runs scored by a South African in the ICC T20 World Cup.

In 30 innings, the wicketkeeper-batter has piled up 757 runs for the Proteas at an impressive strike rate of 134, underlining his impact at the top of the order. Heading into the 2026 edition—widely expected to be his final World Cup campaign—De Kock has climbed further up the rankings, adding another chapter to his already remarkable T20 legacy.

8. Shakib Al Hasan - 853 runs

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan will always be remembered as one of the country’s greatest cricketers. Across 43 appearances, he scored 853 runs for Bangladesh, proving himself to be one of the team’s most reliable and consistent performers between 2007 and 2024. His contributions over the years played a key role in shaping Bangladesh’s success on the international stage.

7. Tillakaratne Dilshan - 897 runs

Tillakaratne Dilshan was a cornerstone of the Sri Lankan cricket team until his retirement from the format in 2016. Over 35 World Cup matches, he amassed 897 runs, representing the 2013/14 champions with distinction. His highest score in the tournament was 96, and he notched up six half-centuries during his World Cup career, showcasing his consistent impact at the international stage.

6. Chris Gayle - 965 runs

Chris Gayle ranks sixth on this list and holds the record for the most sixes in T20 World Cup history, with 63 maximums. He was also the first player to score a century in the tournament and remains the only batsman to have scored two centuries in T20 World Cup matches. Over 33 games, Gayle amassed 965 runs and played a key role in helping the West Indies win two titles.

5. David Warner - 984 runs

One of Australia’s finest T20I batsmen, David Warner has made a huge impact at the top of the order. In 41 matches, he scored 984 runs at a strike rate of 134, including eight half-centuries—the most by any Australian in the format.

4. Mahela Jayawardene - 1016 runs

Even though he retired from T20 International cricket in 2014, Mahela Jayawardene still ranks fourth on the all-time run-scorers list. He was the first player to surpass 1,000 runs in the T20 World Cup, and as of 2026, only three others have joined him in reaching that milestone. Over 31 matches for Sri Lanka, Jayawardene scored 1,016 runs at an impressive average of 39.07.

3. Jos Buttler - 1066 runs

Veteran English batter Jos Buttler has a golden chance to become the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history in 2026. At 35, Buttler may not have played many long innings for the Three Lions, but he has consistently risen to the occasion when his team needed him most.

Currently serving as a wicketkeeper-batter, he remains one of the most experienced and reliable members of the English line-up. In 39 T20 World Cup matches, Buttler has scored 1,066 runs at an impressive average of 40.76, with a strike rate of 147. His record also includes a century and five fifties, underlining his ability to deliver in big moments.

2. Rohit Sharma - 1220 runs

Rohit Sharma is the only Indian cricketer to have won the T20 World Cup twice. He first tasted World Cup glory at just 20 years old, as part of India’s victorious 2007 squad.

In the most recent edition, he led the Men in Blue to their second T20 World Cup triumph. Although Sharma has never scored a century in the tournament, he has been remarkably consistent, notching up 12 fifties and amassing 1,220 runs in 44 innings at an impressive average of nearly 35.

1. Virat Kohli - 1292 runs

Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup. He made his tournament debut in the 2012 edition in Sri Lanka, where India were knocked out in the Super 8 stage. Despite the team’s early exit, Kohli was India’s leading run-scorer in that campaign, amassing 175 runs across five innings.

Before retiring from T20 internationals, Kohli played a pivotal role in helping India clinch the title in the most recent edition. Over his T20 World Cup career, he played 35 matches, scored 1,292 runs at an impressive average of 58.72, and his highest score was 89.

Cover Credits - Sky Sports