Top 3 batsmen with the most T20I runs in a calendar year

#2 Shikhar Dhawan (689 runs in 2018)

Shikhar Dhawan

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan may be struggling in T20Is at present, but in 2018 he was on top of his game. He ended that season as the leading run-scorer with 689 runs in 18 matches at a strike rate of 147.22 and an average of 40.52. The left-hander notched up a total of six fifties in the year.

Dhawan’s career-best of 92 came against West Indies in the 3rd T20 at Chennai in November. The left-hander hit 10 fours and two sixes as India chased down 182 to clinch the series 3-0.

In March, Dhawan slammed 90 from 49 balls with six fours and as many sixes in the first match of the Nidahas Trophy. Kusal Perera’s 37-ball 66, however, led Sri Lanka to victory as they chased down 175.

The southpaw starred with 72 from only 39 balls in the first T20I of the three-match series against South Africa at Johannesburg in February. India defended a target of 204 courtesy Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s splendid return of 5 for 24.

Dhawan also slammed 76 from 42 in the first T20I of the Australia tour in November. However, India fell short of the Duckworth/Lewis target of 174, losing by four runs.