Most Runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cups
Explore the list of players with the most runs in T20 World Cup history. From record-breaking performances to iconic batting milestones, discover how legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma dominate ICC T20 tournaments ahead of 2026.
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be the tenth edition of the Men's World Cup, initiated by the International Cricket Council. It is to be hosted from 7 February to 8 March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
In 2012 and 2016, Sri Lanka and India hosted the competition. The tournament is made up of 55 games that are scheduled in five Indian locations and three locations in Sri Lanka.
It is a format that the ICC tournament system is the most used, and this is the best platform where some of the most productive batting performances in the history of the modern-day game of cricket can be found.
Let’s explore this article and check who remains at the top of the list in Most Runs in T20 World Cups.
Most Runs in T20 World Cups
Virat Kohli is the all-time highest run scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup and has scored 1292 runs in 35 matches.
Both Kohli and second highest scorer, Rohit Sharma (1,220 runs), have left T20 international cricket, yet their record is of the highest level as the 2026 tournament approaches.
The following is the list of the Most Runs in T20 World Cups Playing list.
| Rank | Player | Span | Matches | Inns | Runs | HS |
| 1 | V Kohli (IND) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 33 | 1292 | 89* |
| 2 | RG Sharma (IND) | 2007-2024 | 47 | 44 | 1220 | 92 |
| 3 | Mahela Jayawardene(SL) | 2007-2014 | 31 | 31 | 1016 | 100 |
| 4 | JC Buttler (ENG) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 34 | 1013 | 101* |
| 5 | DA Warner (AUS) | 2009-2024 | 41 | 41 | 984 | 89* |
| 6 | CH Gayle (WI) | 2007-2021 | 33 | 31 | 965 | 117 |
| 7 | TM Dilshan (SL) | 2007-2016 | 35 | 34 | 897 | 96* |
| 8 | Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 2007-2024 | 43 | 43 | 853 | 84 |
| 9 | KS Williamson (NZ) | 2012-2024 | 29 | 27 | 727 | 85 |
| 10 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 2007-2016 | 30 | 29 | 717 | 79* |
Data: ESPNcricinfo
Key Batting Records & Milestones
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Most Runs in a Single Edition: Virat Kohli has the highest record of 319 runs in the 2014 edition.
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Most 50+ Scores: Again, Virat Kohli is at the top position with 15 half-centuries as compared to his nearest competitor, Rohit Sharma.
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Most Hundreds: Chris Gayle is the only player from the West Indies who has scored two centuries in the history of the T20 World Cup.
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Highest Individual Score: The highest individual score is on the record of the highest score achieved in one match, and that was achieved by Brendon McCullum, who hit 123 against Bangladesh in 2012.
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