Indian cricket witnessed another historic moment as Suryakumar Yadav became only the fifth Indian player to surpass 8,000 runs in T20 cricket. The Mumbai Indians (MI) star achieved this milestone during the IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he played a short but impactful knock of 27 runs off just nine balls. His achievement further solidifies his status as one of the most prolific T20 batters in modern cricket.
With this landmark, Suryakumar Yadav joins an elite group of Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Suresh Raina, who have amassed over 8,000 runs in T20 cricket. Let’s take a deeper dive into his journey and the illustrious names that accompany him on this list.
Suryakumar Yadav: The Newest Entry in the 8,000-Run Club
Suryakumar Yadav, often hailed as India’s Mr. 360°, has revolutionized T20 batting with his unorthodox stroke play, fearless approach, and consistency. His journey from being a domestic stalwart to becoming one of India’s most feared T20 batters has been nothing short of inspiring.
After making his IPL debut in 2012 for Mumbai Indians, Surya truly found his rhythm when he moved to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2014. His ability to play innovative shots and adapt to any situation made him an indispensable asset. However, his true rise to prominence came when he rejoined Mumbai Indians in 2018, where he became a pillar of their batting lineup.
Surya’s international career took off in 2021, and since then, he has emerged as one of the most destructive batters in T20 Internationals. His T20I record speaks volumes of his dominance:
-
Matches Played: 90
-
Runs Scored: 2,598
-
Average: 38.20
-
Strike Rate: 167.07
-
Centuries: 4
-
Fifties: 21
His ability to accelerate from the first ball and his 360-degree shot-making make him an invaluable asset in any T20 side.
Indian Players Who Have Surpassed 8,000 Runs in T20 Cricket
Suryakumar Yadav joins an esteemed list of players who have dominated T20 cricket for India over the years. Let’s look at the other Indian cricketers who have crossed the 8,000-run mark in this format.
1) Virat Kohli – The King of T20 Cricket
-
Total Runs: 12,976 (401 matches)
-
Centuries: 10
-
Best Score: 122*
Virat Kohli, often regarded as one of the greatest T20 batters of all time, tops the chart for most runs in T20 cricket by an Indian. His ability to chase down targets, coupled with his consistency, has made him a legend in this format.
Some of Kohli’s most iconic T20 performances include:
✅ 82 vs Pakistan (T20 World Cup 2022)* – A knock that will be remembered as one of the greatest T20 innings ever.
✅ 133 vs Sri Lanka (CB Series 2012)* – A brutal display of batting that showcased his ability to decimate any bowling attack.
✅ T20 World Cup 2016 (273 runs at 136.50 average) – A tournament where he single-handedly carried India to the semifinals.
With 10 centuries and 96 half-centuries, Kohli’s dominance in T20 cricket is unparalleled.
2) Rohit Sharma – The Hitman of T20 Cricket
-
Total Runs: 11,851 (451 matches)
-
Centuries: 4
-
Best Score: 118
Rohit Sharma, popularly known as the Hitman, is one of the most destructive openers in T20 cricket history. His ability to score big hundreds in T20s sets him apart.
Some of Rohit’s legendary T20 moments include:
✅ 118 off 43 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017) – The fastest T20I century by an Indian.
✅ IPL success with Mumbai Indians (5-time champion as captain) – One of the most successful IPL captains ever.
✅ T20 World Cup 2024 Champion – Led India to their first ICC trophy in over a decade.
His explosive stroke play and consistency make him a true icon of T20 cricket.
3) Shikhar Dhawan – The Ever-Reliable Opener
-
Total Runs: 9,797 (334 matches)
-
Centuries: 2
-
Best Score: 106*
Shikhar Dhawan has been a pillar of India’s T20 batting for over a decade. His ability to accelerate in the powerplay and anchor innings when needed has made him an indispensable part of various T20 teams.
Key highlights of Dhawan’s T20 career:
✅ IPL consistency – Over 6,500 IPL runs, making him one of the highest run-scorers in IPL history.
✅ Back-to-back T20 centuries in IPL 2020 – The first player in IPL history to achieve this feat.
Even though he is currently not in the Indian T20 setup, his legacy as one of India’s finest T20 openers remains intact.
4) Suresh Raina – Mr. IPL and T20 Pioneer
-
Total Runs: 8,654 (336 matches)
-
Centuries: 1
-
Best Score: 126*
Before Suryakumar Yadav, it was Suresh Raina who was regarded as India’s most versatile T20 batter. He was one of the first Indian players to excel in T20 cricket, playing a key role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory.
Key milestones in Raina’s T20 career:
✅ First Indian to score a T20I century (101 vs South Africa, 2010)
✅ Vital contributor to Chennai Super Kings’ success – Over 5,500 IPL runs, leading CSK to multiple IPL titles.
✅ Consistent strike rates and match-winning knocks in pressure situations.
 Suryakumar Yadav’s Place Among T20 Greats
Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion in this elite list of Indian T20 legends highlights his rapid rise as a modern-day T20 batting phenomenon. His unorthodox yet effective batting style has transformed India’s middle-order approach in T20 cricket.
As he continues to pile up runs in IPL 2025 and beyond, Surya has the potential to break more records and climb higher in the list of all-time greats. Given his current form and consistency, he could soon surpass Raina and Dhawan, making his way closer to the likes of Kohli and Rohit.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Indian fans will hope that SKY continues to shine and takes Indian cricket to even greater heights in the shortest format.
What’s next for Suryakumar Yadav? Can he challenge Kohli’s T20 run tally in the years to come? Let’s wait and watch!
Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/