Top Indian Run-Scorers in T20 World Cup History

The T20 World Cup has witnessed numerous Indian batsmen rise to prominence, with standout performances that have defined the tournament's history. As Team India prepares for the 2026 edition, we reflect on the top run-scorers from past tournaments, including legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This article delves into their remarkable statistics and contributions, highlighting their impact on India's cricketing legacy. Join us as we explore the achievements of these iconic players and their roles in shaping India's T20 World Cup journey.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 23:51 IST

Introduction to T20 World Cup Performances

Throughout the history of the T20 World Cup, numerous Indian batsmen have excelled, becoming the team's leading run-scorers in various editions of the tournament.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign

Team India is set to kick off their T20 World Cup 2026 journey against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the team enters the tournament as the defending champions, having clinched the title in 2024 with Rohit Sharma at the helm.

India is placed in Group A, alongside the USA, arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands, with expectations high for the team to perform well. They will play three matches on home turf and face Pakistan in Colombo.

Top Indian Run-Scorers in T20 World Cup

Over the years, several Indian players have made significant contributions, consistently ranking among the top run-scorers and playing pivotal roles in India's T20 World Cup journeys.

Here’s a look at the top five highest run-getters for India in a single T20 World Cup edition.

Virat Kohli's Dominance

Virat Kohli, the former captain, has been India's highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup three times, demonstrating remarkable consistency. His standout performance came in 2014, where he scored 319 runs, including four fifties, averaging 106.33 across six matches. Kohli remains the only Indian to surpass 300 runs in a single tournament.

In 2022, he had another impressive outing, accumulating 296 runs with four fifties, averaging 98.66 in six matches, falling just short of becoming the first player to score over 300 runs in two editions.

His third-best performance was in 2016, where he scored 273 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 136.5 in seven matches. Overall, Kohli leads the T20 World Cup run charts with 1292 runs, including 15 fifties, at an average of 58.72 in 35 matches.

Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is following India's triumph in the 2024 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma's Contributions

Rohit Sharma was a key player in India's title-winning campaign in 2024, emerging as the team's highest run-scorer in a single edition for the first time. He scored 257 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 36.71 in eight matches.

Having participated in nine T20 World Cups since 2007, Rohit also retired from T20Is after the 2024 tournament. He ranks second in T20 World Cup history with 1220 runs, including 12 fifties, at an average of 34.85 in 47 matches.

Gautam Gambhir's Impact

Gautam Gambhir, a former opener and current head coach, played a crucial role in India's inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007. He was the top scorer for India in that edition, amassing 227 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 37.83 in seven matches. His pivotal knock of 75 runs in the final helped secure a narrow win over Pakistan.

In total, Gambhir scored 524 runs in T20 World Cups, with four fifties, averaging 26.20 across 21 matches.

Suresh Raina's Performance

Suresh Raina, another notable player, participated in four T20 World Cups, with his best performance in 2010, where he was India's leading run-scorer with 219 runs, including a century and a fifty, averaging 43.8 in five matches.

Throughout his T20 World Cup career, Raina accumulated 453 runs, including a century and a fifty, at an average of 25.16 in 26 matches.

KL Rahul's 2021 Campaign

India faced a disappointing T20 World Cup in 2021, failing to progress beyond the group stage. Despite the team's struggles, KL Rahul emerged as the highest run-scorer for India, amassing 194 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 48.5 in five matches.

Overall, Rahul has scored 322 runs in T20 World Cups, including five fifties, at an average of 32.20 in 11 matches. He participated in the 2022 edition but was not selected for the 2024 and 2026 tournaments as selectors opted for a new direction.