Most Runs in Men’s T20 World Cup History

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the ultimate stage for Twenty20 cricket, showcasing the most explosive and consistent batting talent in the world. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has cemented the legacies of legendary players who dominated bowling attacks across conditions and continents.

This article provides a complete, long-term SEO-friendly guide to the players with the most runs in Men’s T20 World Cup history, along with the latest records, milestones, and in-depth analysis following the conclusion of the 2024 edition.

🏏 Who Has the Most Runs in Men’s T20 World Cup History?

As of the latest completed Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, Virat Kohli of India holds the record for the most runs in the tournament's history with an impressive 1,292 runs.

Kohli’s record is a testament to his unmatched consistency and exceptional ability to perform under pressure. His dominance is defined not just by the sheer volume of runs, but by a staggering average of $58.72$, which is the highest among all players with over 500 runs.

📊 Top 10 Most Runs in Men’s T20 World Cup History

The 2024 edition saw significant movements in the all-time run-scorers list, with Rohit Sharma and Jos Buttler both crossing the 1000-run mark.

*Stats are accurate as of the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024*
Rank	Player	Team	Matches (Innings)	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Virat Kohli	India	35 (33)	1,292	58.72	128.81
2	Rohit Sharma	India	47 (45)	1,220	34.85	133.04
3	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	31 (31)	1,016	39.07	134.74
4	Jos Buttler	England	35 (33)	1,013	42.20	147.23
5	David Warner	Australia	41 (41)	984	25.89	134.24
6	Chris Gayle	West Indies	33 (31)	965	34.46	142.75
7	Tillakaratne Dilshan	Sri Lanka	35 (34)	897	30.93	124.06
8	Shakib Al Hasan	Bangladesh	43 (42)	853	23.05	120.14
9	Kane Williamson	New Zealand	29 (27)	727	31.60	112.53
10	AB de Villiers	South Africa	30 (29)	717	29.87	143.40

🔥 Why Virat Kohli Dominates T20 World Cup Batting Records

Virat Kohli's record is unparalleled due to several defining factors:

Exceptional Average: His average of $58.72$ is significantly higher than any other top-tier batsman in the tournament's history, highlighting his ability to convert starts into match-winning scores.
Most Fifty-Plus Scores: He holds the record for the most 50+ scores with 15 half-centuries, a clear indicator of consistent performance.
Performance in Finals & Knockouts: Kohli delivered game-changing innings in almost every knockout match he played, cementing his reputation as a big-game player.
Highest Runs in an Edition: He still holds the record for the most runs in a single Men's T20 World Cup edition with 319 runs in 2014.

While power-hitters rely on sheer boundary hitting, Kohli's game combines strike rotation with boundary striking, making him the most reliable and efficient run-scorer in T20 World Cup history.

🌍 Year-wise Leading Run Scorers in Men’s T20 World Cup

Year	Player	Team	Runs
2007	Matthew Hayden	Australia	265
2009	Tillakaratne Dilshan	Sri Lanka	317
2010	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	302
2012	Shane Watson	Australia	249
2014	Virat Kohli	India	319
2016	Tamim Iqbal	Bangladesh	295
2021	Babar Azam	Pakistan	303
2022	Virat Kohli	India	296
2024	Rahmanullah Gurbaz	Afghanistan	281

🧠 Active Players Who Can Break the Record

Following the international T20 retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner after the 2024 final, the landscape for active players has changed drastically.

Jos Buttler is now the closest active threat, having become the fourth player to cross the 1,000-run mark.

Jos Buttler (England): The only active player in the top five. He is just 279 runs behind Kohli and is the primary contender to take the top spot in the 2026 edition.
Babar Azam (Pakistan): An anchor with immense consistency, he needs a few more strong tournaments to climb into the top five.

Surpassing Kohli's tally will now require a combination of exceptional longevity, an outstanding average across multiple future tournaments, and playing a minimum of two or three more editions.

🏆 Key Batting Records & Milestones

Record	Player	Statistic
Most Runs in T20 World Cup History	Virat Kohli (IND)	1,292 runs
Highest Average (Min. 500 runs)	Virat Kohli (IND)	$58.72$
Most 50+ Scores	Virat Kohli (IND)	15
Most Runs in a Single Edition	Virat Kohli (IND)	319 (2014)
Most Centuries	Chris Gayle (WI)	2
Most Matches Played	Rohit Sharma (IND)	47

❓ FAQs – Most Runs in Men’s T20 World Cup

Who has scored the most runs in Men’s T20 World Cup history?

Virat Kohli of India holds the record with 1,292 runs.

Has any player scored 1000+ runs in T20 World Cup?

Yes. As of 2024, four players have crossed the 1000-run mark: Virat Kohli (1,292), Rohit Sharma (1,220), Mahela Jayawardene (1,016), and Jos Buttler (1,013).

Who was the leading run-scorer in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan was the top run-scorer in the 2024 edition with 281 runs.

Which active player is closest to the all-time record?

Jos Buttler of England is the closest active player in the top 10 and is the only player with a realistic chance to surpass Kohli's record in the next edition.

📌 Final Thoughts

The updated record for the most runs in Men’s T20 World Cup history reflects not just talent, but the ability to deliver with consistency and temperament on the biggest stage. The retirement of two all-time greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, after India's 2024 title win marks the end of an era, but opens the door for new legends like Jos Buttler to etch their names in history.