T20, one of the latest formats of cricket is picking up and how, who thought back in 2007, when the 1st T20 World Cup was played, that in present times t20 cricket would become the most commercially profitable format for the ICC.
There have been a total of 7 T20 World Cups played till now, with West Indies being the only nation to lift the trophy more than once.
While we have seen so many batsman applying their ability to score massive runs in this format. Lets dive in and take a look at the top 5 highest run scorers in the tournament.
- Mahela Jayawardene
The former Sri Lankan legendary batsman and leader, tops this list. Playing in the T20 World Cup, the Lankan stalwart managed to notch up 1016 runs in 31 matches between 2007-2014. He also became the 1st Sri Lankan player to score a T20I century, Mahela achieved this feat in the 2010 World Cup against Zimbabwe.
Since his retirement from the game Mahela has an extremely successful stint with the most successful IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. As a coach Jayawardene has led Mumbai Indians to win 3 IPL titles, making him the 2nd most successful IPL coach after the Kiwi, Stephen Fleming.
- Chris Gayle
The Jamaican born cricketer to no one’s surprise is the 2nd player on the list. The Universe Boss as he likes to be known, has smashed 920 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup and has 2 centuries to his name as well.
Gayle with the Windie’s has managed to lift the T20 world cup trophy twice.
The Universe Boss also holds the record for scoring the fastest T20 century in professional cricket where he just took 30 Balls to get to 100 while playing for the most followed IPL franchise, RCB against the Pune Warriors.
- Tillakaratne Dilshan
Former Sri Lankan opening batsman is the 3rd on this list. Dilshan notchd up 897 runs in the T20 World Cup, which also includes 6 half centuries. One of the most innovative batsman to have played in this format, Dilshan also invented a scoop shot, which is played over the keepers head and now is popularly known as the DILSCOOP.
Dilshan represented Sri Lanka in 5 T20 World Cups between 2007-2014.
Alongside the Lankan Legend Mahela Jayawardene, Dilshan is the only other Sri Lankan cricketer to have scored a ton in all 3 formats of the game (Test, ODI & T20I) which is a rare feat to accomplish in itself.
Also Read – Most Runs In ICC T20 World Cup – Top-Scorers In Each Year
- Virat Kohli
Fondly called as his Cheeku by his Indian team mates and fans, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is 4th on the list. Star batsman in the current cricketing fraternity Kohli has played just 3 T20 World Cups for India and has managed to score 777 runs in mere 16 matches.
Kohli is also the 2nd highest run scorer in this format for India after the current Indian team skipper Rohit Sharma, Kohli till date has scored 3296 runs in T20 cricket.
Virat played an integral role in India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup’2014, in which India stood as the runners up, after a heart-rendering loss against Sri Lanka in the finals.
- AB de Villiers
Loved by every single cricket fan all across the world, AB de Villiers is the 5th player on the list. When AB de Villiers is at the crease, the opposition fans cheer and support him.
AB has played 6 ICC T20 World Cups and scored 717 runs for his side before announcing retirement from International cricket in 2018. Fans waited with bated breath as there were some reports doing rounds that he might come back to play the T20 World Cup in 2021 held in UAE & Oman, but unfortunately that never happened. AB de Villiers is also widely known as Mr. 360.
