Predicting 3 highest run-scorers of 2024 Women's T20 World Cup ft. Smriti Mandhana
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 10 teams vying for the ultimate silverware. India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Scotland, West Indies, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England have been divided into two groups of five each.
The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup is set to run from Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 20. Australia are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa by 19 runs in the final of the previous edition. They once again start as strong favorites to win the Women's T20 World Cup for the seventh time.
Australia have won the last three editions in a row and have been a dominant force. It will certainly take some effort to keep them from winning the Women's T20 World Cup trophy once again. With strong contenders such as India, England, and South Africa among others, the tournament promises to be an exciting one.
As the tournament is underway with teams set to give it their all to claim the coveted trophy, here is a look at three players who could end up as the highest run-scorers.
Predicting 3 highest run-scorers of 2024 Women's T20 World Cup
#3 Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka's skipper Chamari Athapaththu has been a consistent performer for her side, leading from the front more often than not. A prolific run-getter, Chamari has amassed 3326 runs from 139 T20Is, registering three hundreds to go with 12 fifties as well.
Chamari has plied her trade in various franchise T20 leagues around the world and has been successful as well, scoring a plethora of runs. Although she did not score much in the warm-up fixtures, Chamari has been in good touch, scoring a fifty in the recent Women's CPL.
Interestingly, Chamari made her international debut at the age of 19 in the 2009 Women's T20 World Cup. She is also the eighth-highest run-getter overall in the history of the tournament, scoring 666 runs from 28 matches. Sri Lanka will rely on her to come good in their quest for glory this time around.
#2 Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
Ashleigh Gardner, the Australian all-rounder, is another name capable of scoring plenty of runs at this year's Women's T20 World Cup. While Australia already possess some of the biggest names in women's cricket, Gardner's ability to hit big makes her stand out.
Gardner has featured in 90 T20Is for Australia, having scored 1380 runs with six half-centuries and a high score of 93 against India, which came off just 57 balls.
Her batting prowess is evident through her performances in various T20 leagues, particularly the Women's Big Bash, where she has racked up 2504 runs, including a blistering 52-ball 114. Gardner also won the Player of the Tournament award in the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup.
#1 Smriti Mandhana (India)
India's vice-captain and opener Smriti Mandhana has been in top form and among the runs this year. Known to take the attack to the opposition early on in the innings, Smriti is one of India's batting mainstays for the tournament.
The left-hander has been a consistent run-getter in the format, having piled on 3493 runs from 141 games. She also has 26 half-centuries to her name. Smriti brings a wealth of experience as she has not only played for India but also in other top leagues around the world.
The 28-year-old could be tough to stop once she gets going and will certainly pose a threat to the opposition bowlers. For India to progress and do well at the Women's T20 World Cup, Smriti will be expected to consistently fire at the top.