Virat Kohli's record in the T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli bid his goodbye to T20 International Cricket after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 with his nation. He was coming into this World Cup after a brilliant season in the IPL 2024 with the bat. He won the Orange Cap, scoring 741 runs for RCB. Virat Kohli's record has been really impressive in the T20 World Cup too but he was failing to play a single big inning in this editon of the T20 Cricket World Cup. However, it was saved for a big day as he played a mature 76-run inning in the Final. In this article, we look at Virat Kohli's record in the T20 World Cup.

Also Read: Most ICC Trophies by any men's team

Most runs in T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli leading the list

Virat Kohli featured in six T20 World Cups (2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2024). He is leading the run-scoring list with 1292 runs in 33 innings. Rohit Sharma, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jos Buttler are the only other players to score over 1000 runs. 

• Virat Kohli: 1292 runs

• Rohit Sharma: 1220 runs

• Mahela Jayawardene: 1016 runs

• Jos Buttler: 1013 runs

• David Warner: 984 runs

Most Half Centuries in T20 World Cup history 

In 33 innings at the T20 World Cups, Kohli has scored 15 half-centuries, which is the most by any player in the tournament's history. 

• Virat Kohli: 15

• Rohit Sharma: 12

• David Warner: 8

• Chris Gayle: 7

• Mahela Jayawardene: 6

• Tillakaratne Dilshan: 6

Virat Kohli's strike rate in T20 World Cups

Virat Kohli is the only batsman to have faced over 1003 balls, holding the record for the most balls faced in T20 World Cup history (1003 balls). His strike rate of 128.81 is not the best but it still helped India win several matches. Kohli knew exactly when to switch the gears in the limited overs format.

Strike rates of the top five run-getters in T20 World Cups:

• Virat Kohli: 128.81
• Rohit Sharma: 133.04
• Mahela Jayawardene: 134.74
• Jos Buttler: 147.23
• David Warner: 134.24

Read Also: India's Results in T20 World Cup Semis

Average over 58 in the Competition

In 33 T20 WC innings since 2012, Kohli finished on an average of 58.72, best for any player scoring at least 300 runs. Hayden and Justin Kemp have higher averages than him but they haven't struck 300 runs either.

Highest averages in T20 World Cups (min. 300 runs)

• Virat Kohli: 58.72

• Michael Hussey: 54.63

• Kevin Pietersen: 44.61

• Jos Buttler: 42.20

• JP Duminy: 40.57

Virat Kohli's overall record in T20 World Cups

Also Read: Teams and Result of Every T20 World Cup Finals

Virat Kohli's 5 Best Knocks in T20 World Cups:

78* in 61 balls vs Pakistan | ICC WT20 2012

Chasing a total of 129, India lost Gautam Gambhir in the first over, which put India under immense pressure. However, Virat helped India chase the target inside 17.2 overs, playing an unbeaten knock of 78 runs.

72* in 44 balls vs South Africa | ICC WT20 2014

In the 2014 semi-final against South Africa, India had to chase 173 runs, and the 'chase master' stepped up once again. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane provided India with a good start but soon they lost their wickets and the Men in Blues needed over 90 runs in the last few overs.

Virat switched gears after reading the situation and chased down the target in the first delivery of the 20th over. Kohli remained unbeaten on 72, with a strike rate of 163.64.

55* in 37 balls vs Pakistan | ICC WT20 2016

Virat Kohli's record against Pakistan has always been impressive. The 2016 group stage game between India and Pakistan was hit by rain, but the fans got to see an 18-overs-per-side game, where Pakistan scored 118 runs after batting first.

Pakistan started brilliantly with the ball and the Men in Blues to 23-3 after 4.4 overs. However, Kohli once again stepped up and rescued his side from the mess. He finished the game with 55 runs and completed the run chase easily.

82* in 51 balls vs Australia | ICC WT20 2016

India had to defeat Australia in their final group-stage game of the 2016 T20 World Cup to secure their spot in the semi-final. Both teams had played three games, winning two and losing one.

Batting first, the Aussies scored 160 runs. It looked like a comfortable chase for the Indian side but the Aussies started superbly with the bowl and reduced their opponent to 49-3 after 7.4 overs. The responsibility of chasing down the total was upon the shoulders of King Kohli and he delivered once again.

Kohli started slowly and rotated the strike as much as possible to keep the scoreboard ticking. But, then he switched his gears and just punished the Aussies in the last few overs to snatch away the victory. India needed 39 runs in the last three overs, but Kohli made it 20 in the final two by hitting 19 runs in Faulkner's over.

In the second last over, Kohli scored four boundaries to almost secure the victory. Dhoni finished off the game on the first ball of the final over to send India to the semi-finals. Kohli smashed 32 runs in his final 11 deliveries and ended on 82 facing only 51 deliveries.

82* in 53 balls vs Pakistan | ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2022

Batting first, Pakistan scored 159 runs in Melbourne. The Pakistani bowling line-up then made it difficult for the Indian team to chase the total. India lost four wickets inside the powerplay and were on the edge.

Kohli then did the unthinkable. He and Hardik Pandya added 113 runs for the fifth wicket. India needed 48 runs in the final three overs. However, Kohli showed his big-hitting abilities. He once again switched his gears at the right moment and pulled off some magnificent shots. Kohli scored 15 runs in five balls in the 18th over as Afridi conceded 18 runs. King Kohli then produced one of the greatest shots in cricket history in the 19th over as hit Rauf for a six straight over his head, playing the shot on the backfoot.  

India needed 16 runs in the last over to win the match and they did it. They got a little bit of help from young bowler Nawaz of Pakistan but without Kohli's inning, it was just impossible. This inning of Virat Kohli is by far his best-ever T20I inning, and certainly one of the best innings in T20 history which is another reason why BCCI selected Kohli in the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup as well.