Most T20I runs for India in a calendar year [2012 to 2022]

Ever since the rise of the T20I format the Indian cricketers have taken the stage to storm as the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have graced the game. Adding to that, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been another key factor in producing some of the finest batters in the world.

Over the last decade, several Indian cricket team players have been gracing the batting charts with top knocks as we take a look at India’s top run scorers since 2012.

List of Most T20I runs in for India in calendar year

Virat Kohli

Not once, not twice but a staggering five times is when Virat Kohli has ended as India’s top scorer in the calendar year in the T20I format. In 2012 Virat scored 471 runs including four half-centuries with a best of 78 in the win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, while 2014 saw him score 385 runs.

The biggest and the most successful year of Virat’s career was in 2016, not only did he end the year as India’s top scorer in the T20I format but also amassed a record 973 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which for a 16-game season is still a record. Virat next featured on the list in 2017 and 2019 scoring 299 and 466 runs respectively.

Rohit Sharma

Popularly known as the ‘Hitman’ the Mumbai star has attracted plenty of attention in the T20I format as one of the most successful players of all time. Rohit Sharma ended as India’s top scorer in 2015 and 2021 in the T20I format.

As things stand, the Indian ace has glittered the stage of IPL and scored 128 runs in 2015 as India played a low number of matches. In 2021 he would improve on his record and score 424 runs, while India faced elimination in the group stage of the T20 World Cup.

Shikhar Dhawan

The Delhi-born Indian batter holds the record for most T20I runs in a calendar year for India after notching 689 in 2018. It took Shikhar Dhawan 18 games to reach the tally that consisted of six fifties. With a proven track record, the Indian opener exploded on the scene along with Rohit as India won several series on the global stage.

Suryakumar Yadav

Currently India’s best batter in the T20I format, Suryakumar Yadav has had a stellar 2022 and will be looking to add to his impressive run of form. With a number of games still to go Suryakumar will have the opportunity to surpass Shikhar Dhawan’s tally as he already has scored 567 runs in 17 matches.

The other notable names on the list include KL Rahul and Yuvraj Singh. The current Indian vice-captain, Rahul scored 404 runs in a pandemic-hit 2020 while Yuvraj scored a mere 77 in 2013 when he was in the twilight of his career.