Highest Runs in T20 Cricket World Cup by an Individual
Mahela Jayawardene holds the T20 World Cup record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament, having played five editions between 2007 and 2014. In 31 matches, Jayawardene accumulated 1,016 runs at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74, making him the highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup 2010 in the Caribbean. In 2010, the ex-Sri Lanka captain became the first Sri Lankan to compile 300 runs in six matches, including 61.40 and 159.78 strike rates, in the T20 World Cup. Jayawardene scored 302 runs in six matches to achieve the world’s first T20 World Cup ton.
Besides Jayawardene, Chris Gayle of the West Indies is second on the list of most runs in the T20 World Cup. The all-rounder has made 965 runs in 33 matches, averaging 34.46 and striking 143.75. Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rohit Sharma of India and outgoing captain Virat Kohli are in the top five for the most runs in the tournament.
Top Scorers in T20 World Cup
| Player | Matches | Runs | Team | |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 31 | 1016 | Sri Lanka | |
| Chris Gayle | 33 | 965 | West Indies | |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 35 | 897 | Sri Lanka | |
| Rohit Sharma | 33 | 847 | India | |
| Virat Kohli | 21 | 845 | India |
Want to know which batsmen have scored the most runs in each edition of the ICC tournament? Then keep reading
T20 World Cup 2007
Matthew Hayden scored the most runs in the first edition of the T20 World Cup held in South Africa, including six matches. He totalled 265 runs in those matches, averaging 88.33 and striking 144.80 times per over. Australia lost in the semi-final to eventual champions India. Hayden recorded four half-centuries in the tournament.
T20 World Cup 2009
In the ICC T20 World Cup in England in 2009, Tillakaratne Dilshan was the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka. The right-hander scored 317 runs in seven matches, averaging 52.83 and striking 144.74, to lead the tournament. He was a significant component in Sri Lanka’s triumph before they lost to Pakistan in the Lord’s summit clash.
T20 World Cup 2012
Shane Watson finished as the tournament’s highest scorer in the ICC T20 World 2012 in Sri Lanka, aggregating 249 runs in six matches. Watson knocked down 249 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 150, finishing ahead of Mahela Jayawardene by six runs. Australia were knocked out in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup after losing to eventual champions West Indies. Watson finished with an average of 49.80.
T20 World Cup 2014
Apart from accumulating the highest number of runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2014, Virat Kohli also had the highest number of hits in the tournament. In six matches, he scored 319 runs at an average of 106.33 and a strike rate of 129.14, while also hitting four half-centuries. India lost in the final to Sri Lanka, despite having beaten South Africa and Sri Lanka in the semi-final and final, respectively.
T20 World Cup 2016
Tamim Iqbal was the highest scorer in the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, where he registered 295 runs in six matches at an average of 73.75 and a strike rate of 142.51. He also hit a T20 hundred against Oman. Unfortunately, Bangladesh was knocked out in the Super 10s.
T20 World Cup 2021
Babar Azam, the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup 2021, was crowned the best player in the event after he amassed 303 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 126.25. He scored four half-centuries.
Babar Azam is one of the world’s best batsmen right now. He’s a great Pakistani player. He has broken several records in the T20 World Cup 2021, which has been phenomenal. Pakistan was on top of the world, but they couldn’t win the championship. Babar created lots of runs for his country.