Table of Contents
The wait is almost over. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just 10 days away, cricket fans around the globe are gearing up for the tenth edition of the tournament. The hosts and reigning champions, India, are looking dangerous, but as we know with T20 cricket, the competition is wide open. Before the first ball is bowled and new heroes emerge, it is the perfect time to look back at the giants of the past. Specifically, let’s look at the batsmen who enjoyed the most prolific runs in a single tournament.
The top five most runs scored by a batter in a single T20 World Cup campaign.
1. Virat Kohli (India)
Tournament: Bangladesh 2013/14
Runs scored: 319
Innings: 6
Average: 106.33
Strike rate: 129.14
Virat Kohli’s performance in the 2014 T20 World Cup remains the benchmark for batting consistency. Although India didn’t lift the trophy that year, Kohli was practically impossible to get out. He averaged over 100, which is an absurd number for the T20 format. He scored half-centuries in four straight matches against heavyweights like South Africa and Australia, cementing his reputation as the ultimate big-game player.
2. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
Tournament: England 2009
Runs scored: 317
Innings: 7
Average: 52.83
Strike rate: 144.74
Back in the 2009 T20 World Cup, Dilshan redefined what it meant to be an opener. He played with no fear, using his famous "Dilscoop" and aggressive drives to dominate the powerplay overs. His 96 against the West Indies at The Oval was a highlight, blending creativity with brute force. He set the template for modern openers and helped power Sri Lanka to the final.
3. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Tournament: UAE and Oman 2021/22
Runs scored: 303
Innings: 6
Average: 60.60
Strike rate: 126.25
Babar Azam’s 2021 T20 World Cup run was all about class and stability. While other batters swung for the fences, Babar controlled the game, offering a steady hand at the top of the order for Pakistan. His unbeaten 68 in the historic 10-wicket victory over India was the defining moment of his tournament. He proved that you can score heavy runs without losing your shape or taking wild risks.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Tournament: West Indies 2010
Runs scored: 302
Innings: 6
Average: 60.40
Strike rate: 159.78
Jayawardene is often remembered for his elegance, but in the 2010 T20 World Cup, he was devastatingly efficient. Scoring at a strike rate near 160 is impressive in any era, but it was especially standout against the bowling attacks of that time. His 98 not out against New Zealand was a masterpiece, combining traditional shots with ruthless run-scoring.
5. Virat Kohli (India)
Tournament: Australia 2022/23
Runs scored: 296
Innings: 6
Average: 98.66
Strike rate: 136.40
Nearly a decade after his first record-breaking run, Kohli produced another masterclass in Australia. This tournament gave cricket fans perhaps the greatest T20 innings ever played under pressure: his 82 not out against Pakistan at the MCG. He shifted gears from an anchor to a finisher seamlessly, dragging India from a difficult position to a memorable win.
