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Most Runs in T20 World Cup History: Since its inception in 2007, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup has completely transformed the way cricket is played. This format has encouraged batsmen to play fearlessly, but only a few players have truly mastered this shortest format of the game on the global stage.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, fans are once again focusing on the records that have shaped the history of this tournament. This mega-event of 2026 is set to begin on February 7th, where 20 teams will compete for the title. India will play its first match against the USA on the opening day.
Let's take a look at the top 10 batsmen who have scored the most runs in the history of the T20 World Cup so far.
Most Runs in T20 World Cup History: T20 World Cup records
| # | Player | Country | Matches | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | 35 | 33 | 1292 | 58.72 | 128.81 | 15/0 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India | 47 | 44 | 1220 | 34.85 | 133.04 | 12/0 |
| 3 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 31 | 31 | 1016 | 39.07 | 134.74 | 6/1 |
| 4 | Jos Buttler | England | 35 | 34 | 1013 | 42.20 | 147.23 | 5/1 |
| 5 | David Warner | Australia | 41 | 41 | 984 | 25.89 | 134.24 | 8/0 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 33 | 31 | 965 | 34.46 | 142.75 | 7/2 |
| 7 | T.M. Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 35 | 34 | 897 | 30.93 | 124.06 | 6/0 |
| 8 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 43 | 42 | 853 | 23.05 | 120.14 | 4/0 |
| 9 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 29 | 27 | 727 | 31.60 | 112.53 | 3/0 |
| 10 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 30 | 29 | 717 | 29.87 | 143.40 | 5/0 |
Also Read: Top 5 Oldest Players in ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cup History
10. AB de Villiers (South Africa) - 717 runs
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'Mr. 360' AB de Villiers scored 717 runs in 30 matches with his unique batting style. His strike rate was 143.40, which demonstrates his ability to hit shots to any part of the ground. De Villiers' inclusion in this list is a testament to his contribution to South Africa.
9. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) - 727 runs
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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is known for his classic and reliable batting. He has accumulated 727 runs in 27 innings at an average of 31.60 in the tournament. His innings of 85 runs in the 2021 final is still considered one of the best innings in World Cup history.
8. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 853 runs
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Bangladesh's legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan features in this list due to his consistency. He has scored 853 runs in 42 innings and has also performed brilliantly with the ball. Shakib is also among the leading wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history, making him one of the most impactful players in this format.
7. T.M. Dilshan (Sri Lanka) - 897 runs
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Former Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan gave T20 cricket his famous 'Dil-scoop' shot. He has scored 897 runs in 35 matches in the World Cup. He was the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2009 T20 World Cup, and his aggressive starts were a strength for Sri Lanka.
6. Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 965 runs
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Known as the 'Universe Boss', Chris Gayle has been one of the most explosive batsmen in T20 World Cup history. He has scored 965 runs in 31 innings at a strike rate of 142.75. Gayle is the only batsman to have scored two centuries in this tournament, and his ability to hit sixes played a major role in West Indies winning the title twice.
5. David Warner (Australia) - 984 runs
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Australia's David Warner has always batted aggressively. He played a crucial role in Australia becoming champions in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Although he fell just 16 runs short of the 1000-run mark, his impact in the T20 World Cup cannot be measured by statistics alone.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2026: All Teams, Groups, and Tournament Format Details
4. Jos Buttler (England) - 1013 runs
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Jos Buttler is one of the most dangerous faces of modern T20 batting. He is the only active player on this list who can further increase his run tally in the 2026 World Cup.
With a strike rate of 147.23, Buttler has the ability to dismantle any bowling attack. He is very close to breaking Jayawardene's record.3. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 1016 runs
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Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene is known as a classic batsman. It is a testament to his greatness that he remains in third place on this list even a decade after his retirement. He accumulated over 1000 runs through timing and finding gaps, rather than relying on power hitting. His century in the 2010 semi-final is still considered one of the best innings in the tournament's history.
2. Rohit Sharma (India) - 1220 runs
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Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma presented an unparalleled blend of style and power. Known as the 'Hitman', Rohit made a name for himself by dismantling bowlers in the power play. He scored 1220 runs in 44 innings. Rohit, who retired as a World Cup-winning captain in 2024, will always be remembered for his fearless approach.
1. Virat Kohli (India) - 1292 runs
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Whenever the discussion turns to big-match players in T20 cricket, Virat Kohli's name comes up first. Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup. Kohli didn't just score runs; he guided the Indian team to victory under immense pressure.
Starting his journey in 2012, Virat mastered the art of chasing targets. After winning the 2024 World Cup, he retired from this format, but his record of 1292 runs still stands at the top.
Also Read: T20 World Cup Winners List: List of Teams Who Won the Trophy More Than Once
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