The knockout matches in any tournament are quite crucial, as the stakes are at their highest. Performing under pressure in such clashes can be tough for any player.
However, a few notable players know how to thrive under pressure and display their best performances when it matters the most. The same is the case with the top-level batters who have come out with flying colours in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup.
They not only scored impactful knocks but also piled up significant runs whenever their teams made it to the knockouts.
On that note, let’s look at the top 10 batters with the most runs in T20 World Cup knockouts.
Most Runs in T20 World Cup Knockouts
| Player | Innings | Runs | Avg | SR | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 6 | 373 | 93.25 | 145.13 | 89* |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 8 | 227 | 37.83 | 139.26 | 57 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 6 | 226 | 56.50 | 156.94 | 80* |
| Marlon Samuels (WI) | 5 | 215 | 71.66 | 120.78 | 85* |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) | 7 | 197 | 32.83 | 115.20 | 96* |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 7 | 173 | 34.60 | 114.56 | 64* |
| Kane Williamson (NZ) | 4 | 168 | 42.00 | 130.23 | 85 |
| Angelo Mathews (SL) | 6 | 156 | 52.00 | 145.79 | 58 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 6 | 153 | 38.25 | 119.53 | 75* |
| Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 3 | 139 | 46.33 | 127.52 | 67 |
Key Insights
In 2024, Virat Kohli became the first batter to accumulate 300+ runs in T20 World Cup knockouts.
Virat Kohli is the only batter to smash fifties in four consecutive knockout matches he played in the T20 World Cup. He slammed scores of 72* (2014 semi), 77 (2014 final), 89* (2016 semi), and 50 (2022 semi). The last three knocks, though, came in losing causes. (Check Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup stats here.)
Kumar Sangakkara, Marlon Samuels, and Kohli are the only batters with two half-centuries each in two T20 World Cup finals. Samuels’ both fifties helped the West Indies clinch the trophy in 2012 and 2016, Sanga’s efforts led to the title triumph for Sri Lanka in 2014 (one in 2009), while Kohli scored in the 2014 and 2024 finals.
