Most Runs in a Single T20 World Cup

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has topped the run-scoring charts in two editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Indian run-machine smashed 319 runs @ 106.33/129.15 in the 2014 edition to help India reach the final. His tally of 319 runs is still the highest for a single edition of the showpiece event.

The legendary cricketer backed it up with another outwardly show in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup, where he scored 273 runs in five innings @ 136.50/146.77. However, former Bangladesh skipper ended up as the leading run-getter due to one extra innings. Iqbal scored 295 runs in 6 innings @ 73.75/142.51 with two 50+scores, including one hundred.

However, Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Series, which made him the first, and till date, only cricketer to win two Player of the Series awards.

In 2022, the 35-year-old turned the block back to glory days as he once again ended as the leading run-scorer. In six innings, Virat smashed 296 runs @ 98.66/136.40, which also included his breathtaking, match-winning 82* against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Coming back to the list, swashbuckling Australian opener Matthew Hayden and former all-rounder Shane Watson topped the run-scoring charts in 2007 and 2012 respectively. While Watson accumulated 249 runs @ 49.5/150 in the 2012 event in Sri Lanka, Hayden racked up 265 runs @ 88.33/144.80 in the inaugural edition, which was held in South Africa.

Former Sri Lankan openers T Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene headlined the 2009 and 2010 event with 317 runs (@ 51.83/144.74) and 302 runs (@60.40/159.78) respectively.

Current Pakistani skipper Babar Azam did the same in 2021 when he scored 303 runs @ 60.6/126.25.