T20 cricket is the most fast paced format of cricket where momentum often decides the result of a particular game. In terms of batting, Strike rates are often said to be the most crucial element as it is all about finding the right opportunity to send the ball into the stands. Strike rates above 130 is considered decent and all the top 5 run getters in T20 cricket do not have the same above 140.
This goes on to prove that Strike rates at times does not really affect the amount of runs a batsman can score. If a batter is able to switch gears consistently and plays according to the demands of the situation, the strike rate goes higher too. In this article, Sportzcraazy will discuss about the 5 most successful batsmen in the T20 format.
1. Virat Kohli – In T20 internationals, Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer with 3856 runs under his belt. The Indian batting great has scored runs consistently in all formats of cricket. By the time he retires, Kohli will be known as one of the greatest batters to ever play the game of cricket. He has a overall strike rate of 138.45 since making his debut in 2010. If we talk about his performance on a yearly basis then he has seen ups and downs but he never left the habit of taking on bowlers. Find his performances year by year below –
| Year | Innings | 100s | 50s | Runs | Strike Rate |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 123.81 |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 117.31 |
| 2012 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 471 | 132.68 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 131.82 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 385 | 133.68 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 157.14 |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 641 | 140.26 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 299 | 152.55 |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 211 | 121.97 |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 466 | 147.94 |
| 2020 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 295 | 141.83 |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 299 | 132.89 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 629 | 141.35 |
2. Rohit Sharma – With 3794 runs in 144 games, Rohit Sharma is the second highest run-maker in T20 cricket history. Ever since Sharma changed his role from a middle-order batsman to a full-fledged opener, his game and efficiency increased a he is currently one of the best openers in world cricket. He also holds the record for most 100-point performances in T20 internationals. Moreover, he has also hit the most number of sixes in T20 internationals as well as in T20 World cups. During India’s last T20 World cup Super 12 fixture against Netherlands, the Indian captain overtook Yuvraj Singh to become the second most 6 hitter in the history of T20 world cup with 34 sixes. He is now 30 maximums away from taking the number 1 spot. Rohit has been a member of the Indian team for 13 years since making his debut in 2007, he made his T20 international debut against England. Below is Rohit Sharma’s T20 performance on a yearly basis.
| Year | Innings | 100s | 50s | Runs | Strike Rate |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 144.26 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 100.00 |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 145 | 112.40 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 94 | 134.29 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 80 | 133.33 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 116 | 130.34 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 100.00 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 200 | 123.46 |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 128 | 142.22 |
| 2016 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 497 | 131.48 |
| 2017 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 283 | 171.52 |
| 2018 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 590 | 147.50 |
| 2019 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 396 | 138.46 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 150.54 |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 424 | 150.89 |
| 2022 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 597 | 140.47 |
3. Martin Guptill – Martin Guptill has scored the third most runs in the game’s shortest format. He has amassed 3531 runs in 121 matches. He is well-known for his refined yet aggressive approach to the game. Guptill made his debut in the T20s against Australia in 2009. He has been a pillar for the Kiwis as he has consistently scored runs and has helped the team reach the 2015-2019 Cricket world cup final and 2021 T20 World cup final. However, New Zealand failed to win the world cup in all 3 occasions and the Blackcaps will be looking to go that extra mile during the 2022 T20 world cup. His T20I strike rate is 135.71 since making his debut in 2009.
| Year | Innings | 100s | 50s | Runs | Strike Rate |
| 2009 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 239 | 120.71 |
| 2010 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 200 | 111.11 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 107 | 130.49 |
| 2012 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 472 | 130.75 |
| 2013 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 150 | 127.12 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 97.22 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 141 | 142.42 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 392 | 171.93 |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 98.21 |
| 2018 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 410 | 146.95 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 165 | 163.37 |
| 2020 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 185 | 135.04 |
| 2021 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 678 | 145.49 |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 232 | 122.75 |
4. Babar Azam – Babar Azam, one of the best batsmen of the modern era, comes 4th in this list. Azam uses pure technique and class to dominate bowlers all over the world. In 94 games, the Pakistani ace has scored 3235 runs at an impressive average of 42.56. Azam is the type of player who always keeps the game going as long as he is on the field. His pairing alongside Mohammad Rizwan has been making a lot of news around the world. When Pakistan faced India during last year’s T20 World cup, Azam and Rizwan chased down the total of 152 runs without giving up their wickets. He is known for his temperament and composed mind in the middle of the park and made his T20I debut in 2016. During Pakistan’s ODI series against West Indies, the 28-year-old scored three successive centuries. He is also the first batsman to score 6 centuries in an ODI series, has the 3rd highest ODI batting average of 59.79. Moreover, he is the second fastest ODI batter to score 2000 runs and the joint fastest batter to reach the 1000 run mark in T2os. Babar Azam’s T20 performance year by year :
| Year | Innings | 100s | 50s | Runs | Strike Rate |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 116 | 128.89 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 352 | 119.73 |
| 2018 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 563 | 126.52 |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 374 | 137.00 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 276 | 144.50 |
| 2021 | 26 | 1 | 9 | 939 | 127.58 |
| 2022 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 615 | 130.02 |
5. Paul Stirling – Paul Stirling concludes the list of T20 international run scorers. He is the Ireland team’s backbone. As of 2021, his career spans 12 years (2009-2022). In 2009, he made his T20 international debut against Pakistan. Stirling has 3133 runs in 119 games at a strike rate of 134.69. Stirling has several records to his name, he has scored the most number of boundaries in T20 with 356, 2nd most ducks in T20 cricket – 11 and he is the 6th fastest player to reach 3000 T20 runs. His performances in T20 cricket on a yearly basis –
| Year | Innings | 100s | 50s | Runs | Strike Rate |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 106.25 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 111.11 |
| 2011 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 338 | 75.95 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 135.20 |
| 2013 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 77 | 167.27 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 140.00 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 126.15 |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 85 | 128.79 |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 224 | 154.48 |
| 2018 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 206 | 149.28 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 748 | 140.60 |
| 2020 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 195 | 157.26 |
| 2021 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 482 | 125.52 |
| 2022 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 527 | 126.38 |
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