Virat Kohli leads the list of players with the most half-centuries in T20 World Cup history, having scored 15 fifties between 2012 and 2024. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has produced countless memorable batting displays since the first tournament in 2007.
Half-centuries play a big role in helping teams win matches, especially in knockout games where pressure runs high. Many players have shown great skill by scoring multiple half-centuries across different editions.
In this article, we examine the top 10 players who have scored the most fifties in T20 World Cup history.
Top 10 Most Fifties in T20 World Cup History
Let’s take a closer look at the batting achievements in the T20 World Cup.
| # | Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | V Kohli (IND) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 33 | 1292 | 89* | 58.72 | 15 |
| 2 | RG Sharma (IND) | 2007-2024 | 47 | 44 | 1220 | 92 | 34.85 | 12 |
| 3 | CH Gayle (WI) | 2007-2021 | 33 | 31 | 965 | 117 | 34.46 | 9 |
| 4 | DA Warner (AUS) | 2009-2024 | 41 | 41 | 984 | 89* | 25.89 | 8 |
| 5 | DPMD Jayawardene (SL) | 2007-2014 | 31 | 31 | 1016 | 100 | 39.07 | 7 |
| 6 | Suryakumar Yadav (IND) | 2021-2026 | 19 | 18 | 564 | 84 | 47.00 | 6 |
| 7 | JC Buttler (ENG) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 34 | 1013 | 101* | 42.20 | 6 |
| 8 | TM Dilshan (SL) | 2007-2016 | 35 | 34 | 897 | 96* | 30.93 | 6 |
| 9 | KL Rahul (IND) | 2021-2022 | 11 | 11 | 322 | 69 | 32.20 | 5 |
| 10 | MP O’Dowd (NED) | 2021-2024 | 15 | 15 | 444 | 71* | 34.15 | 5 |
1. Virat Kohli (15 Fifties)
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most half-centuries in T20 World Cup history with 15 fifties. The Indian star played 35 matches between 2012 and 2024. He scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 with a strike rate of 128.81.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Kohli (IND) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 33 | 1292 | 89* | 58.72 | 128.81 | 15 |
Kohli never scored a century in the tournament despite reaching the 90-run mark once. His highest score of 89 not out came against the West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in 2016. He also delivered outstanding performances, scoring 82 not out against Pakistan in 2022 and against Australia in 2016. The selectors named him Player of the Tournament in 2014 when he scored 319 runs in six innings. Kohli finished his T20 World Cup career with a memorable 76 in the 2024 final against South Africa.
2. Rohit Sharma (12 Fifties)
Rohit Sharma takes the second spot with 12 half-centuries in T20 World Cup history. The former India captain appeared in all nine editions from 2007 to 2024. He played 47 matches and scored 1,220 runs at an average of 34.85 with a strike rate of 133.04.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG Sharma (IND) | 2007-2024 | 47 | 44 | 1220 | 92 | 34.85 | 133.04 | 12 |
The Hitman smashed 12 half-centuries and 50 sixes during his T20 World Cup journey. His best performance of 92 runs came off 41 balls against Australia in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 edition. Rohit played important innings throughout his career, including 79 not out against Australia in 2010 and 74 against Afghanistan in 2021. He became the only Indian player to lift two T20 World Cup titles, first in 2007 as a young player and then as captain in 2024.
3. Chris Gayle (9 Fifties)
Chris Gayle ranks third with 9 fifties (including 2 centuries) in the T20 World Cup. The West Indies power-hitter played 33 matches between 2007 and 2021. He scored 965 runs at an average of 34.46 with a strike rate of 142.75.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH Gayle (WI) | 2007-2021 | 33 | 31 | 965 | 117 | 34.46 | 142.75 | 9 |
Gayle scored the first-ever century in T20 World Cup history when he hammered 117 against South Africa in 2007. He remains the only player to score two centuries in the tournament, adding another hundred against England in 2016. Gayle also holds the record for the most sixes in T20 World Cup history with 63 maximums. He hit 11 sixes in his second century, which remains the most in a single T20 World Cup innings.
4. David Warner (8 Fifties)
David Warner secures the fourth position with 8 half-centuries in the T20 World Cup. The Australian opener played 41 matches across multiple editions from 2009 to 2024. He scored 984 runs at an average of 25.89 with a strike rate of 134.24.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA Warner (AUS) | 2009-2024 | 41 | 41 | 984 | 89* | 25.89 | 134.24 | 8 |
Warner won the Player of the Tournament award when Australia claimed their maiden T20 World Cup in 2021. He scored 289 runs in that edition with three half-centuries, including 53 in the final against New Zealand. His best score of 89 not out came against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi during the same tournament. Warner also holds the record for the most runs by an Australian batter in a single T20 World Cup edition.
5. Mahela Jayawardene (7 Fifties)
Mahela Jayawardene comes in fifth with 7 fifties (including 1 century) in the T20 World Cup. The Sri Lankan legend played 31 matches across five editions from 2007 to 2014. He scored 1,016 runs at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPMD Jayawardene (SL) | 2007-2014 | 31 | 31 | 1016 | 100 | 39.07 | 134.74 | 7 |
Jayawardene became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in the T20 World Cup when he hit 100 off 64 balls against Zimbabwe in 2010. He topped the run charts in that edition with 302 runs at an average of 60.40. His other notable knocks include 98 not out against the West Indies in 2010 and 89 against England in 2014. Jayawardene captained Sri Lanka to their first and only T20 World Cup title in 2014.
6. Suryakumar Yadav (6 Fifties)
In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav (SA Yadav) has recorded 6 fifties (50+ scores) across 18 innings. His most recent and highest score in the tournament is an unbeaten 84* off 49 balls, achieved on February 7, 2026, against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium. He maintains an exceptional strike rate of 160.68, the highest among the top ten leaders on that list.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav (India) | 2021-2026 | 19 | 18 | 564 | 84* | 47.00 | 160.68 | 6 |
With 564 total runs and an average of 47.00, he currently ranks 6th all-time for most fifties in the tournament’s history, having recently surpassed KL Rahul’s tally of five.
7. Jos Buttler (6 Fifties)
Jos Buttler claims the sixth spot with 6 fifties (including 1 century) in T20 World Cup history. The England wicketkeeper-batter played 35 matches between 2012 and 2024. He scored 1,013 runs at an average of 42.20 with a strike rate of 147.23.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JC Buttler (ENG) | 2012-2024 | 35 | 34 | 1013 | 101* | 42.20 | 147.23 | 6 |
Buttler became the first Englishman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket. His 101 not out off 67 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2021 T20 World Cup stands as one of the best knocks in tournament history. He hit six sixes in that innings, which equals the most by an England player in a T20 World Cup match. Buttler led England to the 2022 T20 World Cup title and struck 80 not out in the semi-final against India.
8. Tillakaratne Dilshan (6 Fifties)
Tillakaratne Dilshan takes the seventh spot with 6 half-centuries in T20 World Cup history. The Sri Lankan opener played 35 matches across multiple editions from 2007 to 2016. He scored 897 runs at an average of 30.93 with a strike rate of 124.06.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM Dilshan (SL) | 2007-2016 | 35 | 34 | 897 | 96* | 30.93 | 124.06 | 6 |
Dilshan won the Player of the Series in the 2009 T20 World Cup, where he scored 317 runs in seven matches. His best score of 96 not out came against the West Indies in the semi-final of that tournament. The inventor of the famous Dilscoop shot, Dilshan, became known for his creative batting style. He also holds the record for playing the most T20 World Cup matches by any player.
9. KL Rahul (5 Fifties)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul (IND) | 2021-2022 | 11 | 11 | 322 | 69 | 32.20 | 138.19 | 5 |
KL Rahul occupies the eighth position with 5 half-centuries in T20 World Cup history. The Indian opener played 11 matches between 2021 and 2022. He scored 322 runs at an average of 32.20 with a strike rate of 138.19.
10. Max O’Dowd (5 Fifties)
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP O’Dowd (NED) | 2021-2024 | 15 | 15 | 444 | 71* | 34.15 | 110.59 | 5 |
Max O’Dowd claims the ninth spot with 5 half-centuries in the T20 World Cup. The Netherlands opener played 15 matches between 2021 and 2024. He scored 444 runs at an average of 34.15 with a strike rate of 111.27.
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Conclusion: Virat Kohli Leads with 15 Fifties in T20 World Cup History
The top 10 players with the most fifties in T20 World Cup history have delivered outstanding performances over the years. Virat Kohli leads the list with 15 half-centuries and remains an inspiration for cricket fans around the world.
Players like Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, and David Warner have shown that scoring fifties regularly can help teams win important matches. The presence of both veteran legends and current stars on this list highlights the global nature of T20 World Cup cricket. These batters have created unforgettable moments and will be remembered as the tournament continues to grow.
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