Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, there was a lot of talk about the unfamiliar playing conditions in the USA and the unique conditions in the Caribbean compared to other parts of the world. These factors ended up being crucial, pushing players to go beyond their usual skills.
The 2024 T20 World Cup might be remembered for its surprises and unpredictability, but also for favoring bowlers in a time when batters usually dominate. Both fast bowlers and spinners stayed competitive, with some batters adjusting their strategies accordingly.
Now, let’s look at the top 5 contenders for Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma’s strong batting has been key to Team India’s success in white-ball cricket since their disappointing semi-final exit in 2022. With a strike rate of 155.97, his performance has been crucial at the top of the order during India’s unbeaten streak.
His role became even more significant due to Virat Kohli’s lack of runs and Rishabh Pant’s struggles to convert starts. Sharma has shouldered much of the responsibility for the top order.
Before the final, Sharma scored 248 runs in seven innings, averaging 41.33, making him the third-highest scorer in the competition. He scored three fifties, including important ones against Australia and England. A standout performance in the finals could secure him the title of player of the tournament.
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2. Jasprit Bumrah
The fast bowler started the tournament as the best in all formats but will finish as the top bowler in T20 matches. While four others have more wickets than Jasprit Bumrah, none have matched his impact. He often changes games for India with his bowling. Rohit Sharma trusts him to take wickets, break partnerships, or restrict opponents, at any point in the game. Bumrah has taken 13 wickets in seven matches, with an excellent economy rate of 4.12. He was Player of the Match against Ireland and Pakistan in the group stage.
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The Afghanistan opening batsman played a crucial role in his team reaching the semi-finals of the tournament. Gurbaz’s strong batting at the beginning protected the team’s weaker middle order. His long stays at the crease helped score runs that set a strong base for Afghanistan’s bowlers. So far, he’s scored the most runs in the tournament with 281 runs in eight matches, with a strike rate of 124.33 and an average of 35.12.
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4. Fazalhaq Farooqi
Three out of the five best bowlers in the tournament are from Afghanistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi, a left-handed bowler, is at the top with a record 17 wickets in eight matches, keeping his economy rate at 6.31. He started the World Cup by taking five wickets against Uganda and then four wickets in the big win against New Zealand. He kept up his good performance with three wickets each in matches against Papua New Guinea and India.
5. Anrich Nortje
The South African fast bowler bounced back during the 2024 T20 World Cup after missing the 2023 ODI World Cup and having a tough 2024 Indian Premier League season with the Delhi Capitals. He showed everyone his skill when not hindered by injuries.
Nortje has been crucial in South Africa’s unbeaten path to the finals. He has controlled the batters during the middle overs, and his stats prove it. With 13 wickets in eight matches, he leads the Proteas in wickets taken, with an economy rate of only 5.64.
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