(Source Firstpost)
Former Australian cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist have been identified as the top run-scorers for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to unfold in the West Indies and the USA. Interestingly, when compiling their list, Ponting and Gilchrist omitted star Indian batsman Virat Kohli from their selections for the leading run-getter in this ICC tournament.
Virat Kohli showcased an outstanding performance during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The right-handed batsman emerged as the highest run-scorer in the IPL 2024, accumulating a total of 741 runs across 15 matches, boasting an impressive average of 61.75 and a striking rate of 154.69. His remarkable innings included a century and five half-centuries.
Now, at 35 years of age, Kohli is preparing to join the Indian cricket squad ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup. Notably, among the Indian players, Kohli is the sole individual who did not initially travel to the USA, a group that also excludes the four reserves. Kohli was spotted at Mumbai Airport on Thursday, en route to the United States, evidently gearing up for the upcoming cricketing challenge.
He’s Playing Fearless Cricket At The Moment – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting forecasted that Australian opener Travis Head would emerge as the top run-scorer in the T20 World Cup. Despite acknowledging Travis Head’s fluctuating performances during the IPL 2024, Ponting affirmed that the opener would exert a substantial influence on Australia’s campaign in the World Cup.
“My prediction for the leading run-scorer will be Travis Head. I just think everything he’s done, whether it be red-ball or white-ball in the last couple of years, has been of the highest quality. I think he’s playing fearless cricket at the moment,” Ponting said on The ICC Review.
“His IPL had its ups and downs, but when it’s been good, it’s been very good. It has won games of cricket for his team. It’ll be exactly the same for Australia. He might not be the most consistent on the way through this tournament, but he’ll be right up there with the leading run scorers. As I’ve said, if he spends any amount of time at the wicket for Australia, he’ll win more games than ever,” Ponting added.
Travis Head showcased his aggressive batting prowess for SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in tandem with Abhishek Sharma during the IPL 2024 season. Nevertheless, in the final four matches, the left-handed batsman encountered a slump, scoring 0 (1), 0 (2), 34 (28), and 0 (1) respectively. Despite this, he concluded the tournament with a commendable tally of 567 runs from 15 matches, boasting an average of 40.50 and an impressive strike rate of 191.55.
One Big Last Hurrah – Adam Gilchrist
During an episode of the Club Prairie Fire podcast, Adam Gilchrist selected David Warner as his top pick for the leading run-scorer in the upcoming World Cup. The ex-Australian opener conveyed his confidence in Warner’s ability to leave a significant mark on the tournament.
“I’m going go with David Warner. One big last hurrah,” the former Australian wicketkeeper-batter said.
David Warner’s performance with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2024 season fell short of expectations. The 34-year-old batsman managed to accumulate only 168 runs across eight matches, averaging 21.00. He could muster just one half-century in the recently concluded season.
