Most half-centuries in T20 World Cup history
The shortest format of the game might have given the batters the license to thrill, but it comes with repercussions of its own. The volatile nature of the format often gets to the batters, especially at the grand stage. But some men relish the spotlight and use it to further enhance their reputation. T20 World Cup is no different as it has seen several prolific batters ply their trade in the competition’s glittering history. We list the batters with the most half-centuries in T20 World Cups since its inception in 2007.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)- 7
One of Sri Lanka’s greatest batters across all the formats, Mahela Jayawardene is the second-leading run-scorer in the history of T20 World Cups along with seven half-centuries to his name. The former Sri Lankan skipper was a man for the big occasions for the islanders and he proved it by registering seven half-centuries in T20 World Cups. His last game in the tournament was also his last in the format as he bid farewell to the format lifting his country’s maiden T20 title.
Rohit Sharma (India), Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 9
India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma is arguably one of the best white-ball openers of the modern era. The flamboyant cricketer has several accoladed to his name in the shortest format of the game, including being the second-leading run scorer in the format at the international level. He has registered nine half-centuries in the tournament and is one of the very few players to have participated in both the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 2022 WC.
A titan of the game, especially the T20 format, Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the most destructive batters to have ever wielded the willow. The Caribbean great won two T20 World Cups, with the West Indies registering 965 runs in the competition, along with nine half-centuries at a remarkable strike rate of 142.75. He also holds the record of smashing the most sixes in the competition, a record which is unlikely to be breached anytime soon.
Virat Kohli (India)- 13
A man the world has bestowed the honor of ‘king’, Virat Kohli is a behemoth across all formats of the game, and it is hardly a surprise he is at the summit of this elite list. Since featuring in the tournament for the first time in 2012, Kohli has registered 12 half-centuries in just 22 innings at an astonishing average of 83.41. He is recently surpassed Jayawardene’s tally to crown himself as the leading run-scorer in tournament history.
