The T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7 in a grand co-hosting spectacle by India and Sri Lanka, marking the tournament’s 10th edition. While stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner have bid farewell to the format, their legacies loom large over the event.
Virat Kohli reigns supreme as the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, amassing 1,292 runs in 33 innings across 35 matches from 2012 to 2024. His strike rate and 15 fifties underline his unmatched consistency under pressure.
In second place, Rohit Sharma tallied 1,220 runs in 44 innings over 47 matches between 2007 and 2024, featuring 12 half-centuries. The duo’s retirement came after captaining India to glory in 2024, leaving an irreplaceable void.
Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene holds third with 1,016 runs in 31 matches from 2007 to 2014, boosted by a century and six fifties. England’s Jos Buttler follows closely with 1,013 runs in 34 innings across 35 matches since 2012, including a ton and five fifties. As the only active player in the top five, Buttler has a golden chance to climb higher in 2026.
Rounding out the list is Australia’s David Warner with 984 runs in 41 innings from 2009 to 2024, powered by eight half-centuries. These batting giants have defined T20 cricket’s evolution, and their records will inspire the next generation as the World Cup unfolds.