A batter’s calibre is defined based on how they score runs in tough phases and pressure situations. In cricket, there are no greater pressure instances than what they get in a chase, especially in T20s, where a batter has to have a calculated approach in pursuing the target. They need to know when to attack and to anchor, depending on the nature of the chase.
Some players have mastered the art of chases in the shortest format of the game. In this article, we’ll look at the batters with most T20I runs while chasing.
Most T20I Runs While Chasing
| Player | Innings | Runs | High Score | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling (IRE) | 89 | 2164 | 91 | 137.92 | 0/14 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 48 | 2013 | 94* | 136.47 | 0/20 |
| David Warner (AUS) | 68 | 1984 | 89* | 142.01 | 0/19 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 62 | 1975 | 122 | 128.49 | 2/17 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 72 | 1876 | 83* | 146.90 | 0/13 |
| Glenn Maxwell (AUS) | 71 | 1722 | 113* | 152.65 | 3/8 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 50 | 1621 | 89 | 120.52 | 0/14 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 68 | 1520 | 100* | 131.71 | 1/12 |
| Andrew Balbirnie (IRE) | 62 | 1502 | 83 | 125.48 | 0/10 |
| Mitchell Marsh (AUS) | 52 | 1490 | 103* | 141.09 | 1/9 |
Key Insights on Batting Records in T20I Run Chases
Dominant Batters in T20I Run Chases
Only two batters, Paul Stirling and Virat Kohli, have scored 2000-plus runs while chasing in T20Is.
Kohli’s average of 67.10 is the highest among the batters who’ve featured in 40 or more T20I chases.
Virat has also scored the most runs in successful run chases in T20Is, having aggregated 1651 runs in 39 innings. He averaged 78.61, the highest by a batter in successful run chases in T20Is (minimum 30 innings).
Kohli has the most number of fifty-plus scores while chasing in T20Is, with 20 such knocks to his name.
Kohli scored 500 of his 2013 runs against Australia in chases, the most by a batter against a T20I team. (Read more about Kohli’s incredible T20I records here.)
Stirling is the lone batter to accumulate 900-plus runs in unsuccessful run chases in T20I cricket.
Individual Milestones and Highest Scores in T20I Chases
Glenn Maxwell is the only batter to strike above 150 among those who’ve faced a minimum of 1000-plus balls in T20I run chases.
Maxwell has scored the most T20I centuries while chasing targets, going past the 100-run mark three times. Pakistan’s Babar Azam, UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, England’s Phil Salt, Kuwait’s Ravija Sandaruwan, and India’s KL Rahul have scored two centuries each in chases.
Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan has aggregated the highest individual score in a T20I chase, having smashed an unbeaten 144 against Cyprus in 2024. Chauhan crossed the 100-run barrier off 27 balls, the fewest deliveries taken by a batter to score a T20I century.
Boundary and Dismissal Record Holders in T20I Chases
Stirling and David Warner are the two batters with 200-plus fours and 50-plus sixes in T20I run chases.
Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien holds the record for having the most ducks in T20I chases, getting out on zero 10 times.
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