New Delhi, January 2 — Scoring runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has never been easy. The short format leaves little room for mistakes, and the pressure of a global event often brings out the best from bowlers. Over the years, only a few batters have shown the ability to perform match after match under these conditions.

At the top of the all-time run list is India’s Virat Kohli. From 2012 to 2024, Kohli scored 1,292 runs in 35 matches, finishing with an average of 58.72, the highest among players with significant appearances in the tournament. He never scored a century in the competition, but his record includes 15 half-centuries, several of them coming in knockout matches. After India’s T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals.

Second on the list is fellow Indian opener Rohit Sharma. Rohit made his T20 World Cup debut in the inaugural 2007 edition and went on to score 1,220 runs in 47 matches up to 2024. Known for quick starts at the top, he kept a strike rate above 133 and hit 12 half-centuries in the tournament. He also finished his T20 International career in 2024, following India’s title-winning run in the Americas.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene holds third place with 1,016 runs from 31 matches. Jayawardene remains the only player in the top three to score a T20 World Cup century. Despite playing fewer games than others on the list, his calm approach and ability to handle pressure made him a key figure for Sri Lanka during his playing years.

England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler follows closely with 1,013 runs in 35 matches. Buttler’s strike rate of over 147 stands out among the top run-scorers. His record includes one century and five half-centuries, reflecting his role in England’s strong performances in recent editions, including their title win in 2022.

Completing the top five is Australia opener David Warner, who scored 984 runs in 41 matches. Warner was a regular presence at the top of Australia’s order across multiple tournaments and played an important part in their 2021 championship campaign in the UAE.

With the 2024 T20 World Cup marking the end of the format for several senior players, these records now stand as benchmarks for the next generation of batters heading into future editions of the tournament.