Virat Kohli (Source: AFP)
Consistently maintaining a brilliant run of form throughout an entire T20 World Cup edition is one of the challenging tasks for a batter. As seen in the previous World T20 editions, some batters starred for their teams in a few matches but, unfortunately, failed in the very crucial games.
Meanwhile, a few batters have also displayed their batting masterclass throughout an entire edition of the tournament. That said, here in this article, we’ll have a look at the 5 batters with the most runs in the tournament’s single edition.
5 Batters with most runs in a T20 World Cup edition
Virat Kohli (India) - 319 runs, T20 World Cup 2014
The former India skipper and the World T20 champion batter, Virat Kohli, was the most successful batter for his side in the T20 World Cup 2014. Kohli ended up as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, scoring 319 runs in just six innings at an astonishing average of 106.33, hitting four half-centuries.
It is still the highest number of runs scored by any batter in a single World T20 edition. Out of his six innings in the T20 World Cup 2014, Virat Kohli also went unbeaten in three innings, helping his side win the crucial games in the tournament.
Notably, the 2014 edition was the second time India reached the tournament’s final, after a seven-year wait since they had won the title in 2007.
Unfortunately, India lost to Sri Lanka in the summit clash, ending up as the runners-up . However, Kohli won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his sensational outings in the tournament.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) - 317 runs, T20 World Cup 2009
In the 2009 edition, Sri Lanka qualified for the tournament’s final and made their first-ever appearance in the title clash. Meanwhile, the blistering opening batter, Tillakaratne Dilshan, was one of the vital cogs in the wheel for Sri Lanka’s journey to the summit clash.
He finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, with 317 runs in seven innings, including an unbeaten appearance. Dilshan registered a brilliant batting average of 52.83, hitting three half-centuries. He ranks second in the list of batters with the most runs in a single T20 World Edition.
Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 303 runs, T20 World Cup 2021
The former skipper and star batter, Babar Azam, was one of the key elements in Pakistan’s road to the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2021 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. He was the leading run-scorer of the tournament, with 303 runs at an average of 60.40, hitting half-centuries.
Apart from that, the team also performed exceptionally brilliantly under his captaincy in the tournament. The Men in Green successively won all five of their matches in the Super 12 round. It also included their massive 10-wicket win against the arch-rivals, India.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 302 runs, T20 World Cup 2010
Former Sri Lankan skipper and the batting great, Mahela Jayawardene, also showcased his batting prowess in the T20Is, the shortest format of the game. He achieved some brilliant T20I records after establishing his batting legacy in the Tests and ODIs over the years.
It was the World T20 edition of 2010 in which Mahela Jayawardene was the most successful batter for Sri Lanka throughout the tournament. He scored 302 runs in six games at an outstanding batting average of 60.40, hitting a century and two half-centuries.
Jayawardene’s aggregates in the 2010 edition rank as the fourth-highest score by a batter in a single World T20 edition.
Virat Kohli (India) - 296 runs, T20 World Cup 2022
The former India stalwart Virat Kohli was the backbone of the Indian batting attack in all the editions he played in throughout his World T20 career. The batting maestro was also the leading run-scorer in the 2022 edition played down under.
He scored 296 runs in six innings at an unbelievable average of 98.66, hitting four half-centuries. It also included his historic and unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 53 balls to win the game for his side against the arch-rivals, Pakistan.
Kohli’s run of form in the 2022 edition makes him rank twice (first and fifth) in the list of the batters with the most runs in a single edition.
