A batter’s caliber is defined based on how he/she scores 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 of the game and we will celebrate the batters who have shown tremendous temperament in these high-stakes moments. Here are the players with most T20I runs while chasing.
Most T20I Runs While Chasing
| Player | Innings | Runs | High Score | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling (IRE) | 88 | 2151 | 91 | 137.61 | 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) | 59 | 1896 | 122 | 128.97 | 2/16 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 66 | 1767 | 83* | 146.27 | 0/13 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 50 | 1621 | 89 | 120.52 | 0/14 |
| Glenn Maxwell (AUS) | 63 | 1552 | 113* | 150.38 | 3/7 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 68 | 1520 | 100* | 131.71 | 1/12 |
| Andrew Balbirnie (IRE) | 62 | 1502 | 83 | 125.48 | 0/10 |
| Aaron Finch (AUS) | 62 | 1438 | 84 | 134.26 | 0/9 |
Key Stats:
2 – Only two players, Paul Stirling and Virat Kohli, have scored over 2000 runs in T20Is while chasing and 7 more have scored 1500 or above while batting second in this format. When we lock the minimum criteria to be 1000 runs, 25 batters have crossed the landmark in the shortest format of the game.
1651 – Virat Kohli’s runs in a successful run chase in T20Is and has scored at an average of 78.61, striking at more than 135. Babar Azam follows him with 1403 runs in 38 innings.
28 – The number of batters scoring at least a century in T20Is while chasing a target. Glenn Maxwell (3) has scored the most centuries while chasing a target. Pakistan’s Babar Azam, UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, England’s Phil Salt, Kuwait’s Sandaruwan, and India’s KL Rahul have scored two centuries each in chases.
20 – Virat Kohli has the most number of 50+ scores while chasing in T20Is followed by David Warner (19) and Babar Azam (18).
10 – Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien holds the record for having the most ducks in T20I chases, followed by Saumya Sarkar (9) of Bangladesh.
156.78 – Ravija Sandaruwan of Kuwait has the best strike rate among players with 1000 or more T20I runs in chases. He has scored 1237 runs in just 40 innings with two centuries. Maxwell with an SR of 150.38 comes next, followed by Jos Buttler (146.27).
