Legendary Australian batter Steven Smith has predicted that Virat Kohli will be the leading run-scorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli, who was in phenomenal form during the IPL 2024, finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 matches. Smith pointed out that Kohli’s impressive performance in the IPL is likely to carry over into the global tournament, making him a strong contender for the top scorer spot.
Virat Kohli arrived in New York on May 31, missing India’s warm-up game against Bangladesh the next day. The pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where Sri Lanka played South Africa, was observed to be on the slower side, posing challenges for batters.
However, Virat Kohli, known for his role as an anchor in the team, is expected to be crucial for India’s success and could potentially turn the game in their favour on such surfaces.
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“My top run-getter for this tournament will be Virat Kohli. He is coming off a terrific IPL, bringing in some great form, and I think he will be the leading run-getter,” Steve Smith stated in a video shared by the International Cricket Council.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith also weighed in, suggesting that a top-order batter, such as Jos Buttler or Virat Kohli, could emerge as the leading run-scorer of the tournament. “I am going with a top-order batter. Virat Kohli or Jos Buttler,” Graeme Smith commented.
Meanwhile, England is set to kick off their campaign against Scotland on June 4. In preparation, they played a four-match series against Pakistan, where Jos Buttler stood out with notable performances, scoring 84 runs in the second T20I and 39 runs in the fourth match, though two matches were affected by rain.
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Virat Kohli and the Indian team will play their first match against Ireland on June 5. At 35, Kohli is expected to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, with young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal likely having to wait for his opportunity. Kohli’s form and experience will be pivotal for India’s chances in the tournament, as they look to make a strong start against Ireland.
