From MS Dhoni to Babar Azam: Most Runs as a Captain in T20 World Cup History

The tenth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises to be a landmark event, with India and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the tournament. Featuring 20 teams and 55 matches, the competition will unfold across eight venues - five in India and three in Sri Lanka - showcasing the global depth and growing stature of the shortest format.

The tournament will begin with a busy group stage comprising 40 matches. Teams are divided into four groups, with the top two from each advancing to the Super 8s. Unlike previous editions, points earned in the group stage will not carry forward, ensuring a fresh contest in the business end of the tournament.

The Super 8 stage will see the remaining teams split into two groups of four, playing each other in a round-robin

format. Based on current T20I rankings, eight teams have been pre-seeded. Group 1 will feature Australia, India, South Africa and the West Indies, while Group 2 includes England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The knockout phase will follow, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5, and the final set to be played on March 8.

Iconic venues such as Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad are expected to host key matches. Meanwhile, Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium has been identified as a backup venue, particularly if logistical adjustments are required involving Pakistan's fixtures.

Beyond the tournament structure, the T20 World Cup has also been a stage where captains have led from the front with the bat. Pakistan's Babar Azam currently sits at the top of the list for most runs scored as a captain in T20 World Cup history, amassing 549 runs in 17 innings. He surpassed former India skipper MS Dhoni in the last edition, who scored 529 runs across 29 innings while leading India. New Zealand's Kane Williamson occupies the 2nd place with 545 runs in 20 innings as captain, ahead of Dhoni.

Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene, known for his elegance and consistency, scored 360 runs in just 11 innings as captain, while former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith rounds off the top five with 352 runs in 16 innings.

Most Runs As A Captain In T20 World Cup

• Babar Azam (PAK) - 549 runs in 17 innings (captain)
• Kane Williamson (NZ) - 545 runs in 20 innings (captain)
• MS Dhoni (IND) - 529 runs in 29 innings (captain)
• Mahela Jayawardene (SL) - 360 runs in 11 innings (captain)
• Graeme Smith (SA) - 352 runs in 16 innings (captain)

As the upcoming World Cup approaches, these records highlight how leadership and batting excellence have often gone hand in hand on the biggest T20 stage.