Top 5 Batters With Most T20I Runs

Virat Kohli slammed most runs in T20 World Cup 2022 [X.com]

The game of cricket changed after the advent of T20 cricket, which brought much-needed pace, innovativeness, and thrill to the sport, which has a rich history, having first played around in the 16th century. 

Over the years, T20 Internationals (T20I) have been money-spinner for boards, which attracts crowds both in the field and on the television screens, forcing cricketers to enhance their skill set  in the particular format, making them prospect for leagues. 

While there have been T20 specialists over the years, the ones who have really managed to make a mark as batters are the ones that apart from being creative in shot-making, have a sound technique and keep things simple. 

In this article, we list down the Top 5 international batters with the most T20I runs, who have wowed audiences around the globe time and again. 

---

ALSO READ

Top Five Batters With Most Centuries In T20Is

---

Top 5 Batters With Most T20I Runs

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is the only batter to slam 4,000+ T20Is runs [X.com]

Former India skipper Virat Kohli leads the list with 4,008 runs, the only batter to surpass the 4-000-run barrier. Kohli considered a purist, has often exhibited that proper cricketing shots have a place in the T20 format, where hitting all around the ground and in the air pleases the eyes.

Having first played T20I for India in June 2010, the 35-year-old has amassed 4,008 runs in 115 matches, which include a solitary hundred and 37 fifties. In the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Kohli was the tournament's leading run-getter with 296 and played one of the most iconic knocks against Pakistan at MCG. 

Kohli tops other T20I records list as well — Most Player of the Series (7), Most Fifties (38), and Fastest 3,500 runs (96 innings).

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has featured in all T20 World Cup tournaments since 2007 [X,com]

The only player to have featured in all T20I World Cups since its inception in 2007 is India's Rohit Sharma. In the inaugural edition, Sharma showed sparks of brilliance in the final against Pakistan, which helped India clinch the title. 

Over the years, Sharma has gone on to achieve history by pilling joint-most T20I centuries (4), apart from being the second-highest run-scorer in the format with 3,853 runs in 148 matches, with four tons and 29 half-centuries. Sharma is also the record holder of joint second-fastest T20I hundred, taking just 35 balls.

Sharma has also appeared in most T20I matches (148) and struck the most sixes in the 20-over format with 182.

Martin Guptill 

Martin Guptill made his T20I debut in 2009 [X.com]

One of the fiercest white-ball players, New Zealand's Martin Guptill craved a place for himself in T20Is. As an opener, Guptill provided blistering starts for New Zealand, which allowed other players to settle down and change the manner in which a batter approaches power-play.

Having made his debut in 2009, the 37-year-old has stocked 3,531 runs with two centuries and 20 fifties. Guptill is yet to announce his retirement and last feature for the Black Caps in a T20I in October 2022. 

The opener makes it into several T20I lists; second-highest most sixes (173), second-fastest to 3,500 runs, and second-highest most catches (68).

Babar Azam

Babar Azam is the fastest batter to 3,000 T20I runs [X.com]

Regarded as one of the most talented batters of the current generation, Pakistan's Babar Azam gained fame in T20Is before excelling in other formats. In merely 104 T20Is between 2016 and 2023, Azam has pocketed 3,845 runs with as many as three hundred and 30 half-centuries, despite having a limited range of shots for the format.

Mostly, donning the role of an anchor, the 29-year-old is also the first batter to score three tons as captain during his tenure. Azam holds the record of being the fastest to 3,000 runs, playing the most consecutive (55) T20Is as captain and having the second-most (371) fours in the format.

Paul Stirling

Paul Stirling has most ducks in T20Is {X.com}

One of the most underrated T20I players is Ireland's Paul Stirling, despite featuring in 132 matches, which is the second-most after Sharma, who leads with 148.

The belligerent Stirling took a liking to format quite early in his career and now has complied 3,422 T20I runs, with a solitary ton and 23 half-centuries, having first played a 20-overs game for Ireland in June 2009. Ireland's current white-ball captain is holder of two T20I records, one which is noteworthy and another thats unwanted, i.e. most fours (397) and most ducks (13).

Interestingly, the opener also holds the record of playing second-longest T20I innings (by balls), playing 75 balls for an unbeaten 115* against Zimbabwe in 2021. 

---

ALSO READ

Top 5 Batters With Most Runs In Ind vs SA T20Is

---