From the World Cup squad, only two batters have more than 2,000 T20I runs

After a devastating start to the year with an ODI series loss to New Zealand, the Men in Blue are determined to turn the tide in their favour, hoping to lift the upcoming T20 World Cup trophy. To do so, all departments, i.e., bowling, batting and fielding of the team must click together.

Ahead of the tournament, let us look at the Indian batters with the maximum runs who are going into the tourney, and a lot will ride on their shoulders. On the field, their willow needs to do the talking if India wishes to defend its trophy.

Suryakumar Yadav

(Credit- Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Captain Suryakumar Yadav is India’s top T20I run scorer in the World Cup squad. In 100 T20I games, Yadav has scored 2,807 runs at an average of 163.10 and an average of 35.53. In recent matches, Yadav’s form has been questionable, but he is India’s all-time third-highest T20I run scorer, and therefore, he will have to deliver under every circumstance.

Hardik Pandya

(Credit- Khelnow)

India’s star all-rounder is the second-highest run scorer among the Indian players for the T20 World Cup 2026. The player with the second highest T20I matches for India, standing at 125, has scored 2,002 runs at an average of 143.51 and 28.60. As always, Pandya will be expected to play some crucial cameos in the middle order as a finisher. Not to forget, a lot will be expected from the bowling side of things.

Tilak Varma

(Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

Relatively a new player in the squad with 40 matches, Tilak Varma has impressed with 1,183 runs at an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09. Varma has two centuries to his name and six fifties with a top score of 120 in one of the innings. Last year in the Asia Cup, he was instrumental in India’s victory by scoring 69 off 53 balls against PAK.

Abhishek Sharma

(Credit- IPL.com)

Another youngster with tonnes of potential in the team, Abhishek Sharma, has 34 T20I matches under his belt. In these 34 matches, Sharma has 1,166 runs at an average of 37.61 and a whopping strike rate of 189.28. Sharma has seven half-centuries and two centuries to his name. In the Asia Cup 2025, Sharma had finished as the top scorer with 314 runs from seven matches at an average of 44.85.

Sanju Samson

(Credit- NDTV Sports)

The fact that Sanju Samson, a talented player who made his T20I debut in 2015, has only played 53 games so far is incredibly difficult to comprehend. Perhaps it's just a matter of luck. In 53 matches, Samson has 1,042 runs at an average of 25.41 and a strike rate of 148.01, including three centuries. This World Cup seems like the last chance Samson will ever get. Therefore, he must capitalise not only for the sake of India but also for his long-term place in the team, at least in one format if not all.

These five players are India’s star batters, and, therefore, let us hope that they deliver in every match so that the Men in Blue can bring home an ICC trophy at the beginning of the year.