Ranking the top 5 Player of the Tournament contenders for 2024 T20 World Cup ft. Rohit Sharma
The 2024 T20 World Cup is coming to a close with the final clash between India and South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. It has been a memorable tournament for plenty of reasons, primarily stamping the shortest format's authority as the future of the sport.
The unknown conditions in the United States of America (USA), and the contrast of conditions in the Caribbean from the rest of the world, were the talking points during the build-up to the tournament. It ended up having the final say, particularly because of how much the players had to step outside their comfort zone to have a say in the proceedings.
The 2024 T20 World Cup might be remembered for its upsets and unpredictability, but it might also be remembered for being a bowlers' tournament in an era of batters' supremacy. Bowlers, pacers, and spinners alike were always in the game, while a few batters found a way to mold their game and counter accordingly.
On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 Player of the Tournament contenders for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
#1 Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma leading the way with the bat has been the hallmark of Team India's resurgence in white-ball cricket ever since the tame semi-final exit in the 2022 edition. Boasting a strike rate of 155.97 in such conditions is no mean task, and his productivity at the top has gone a long way in the Men in Blue's unbeaten run.
His contribution at the top held more importance than ever because of Virat Kohli's lack of runs at the other end, and Rishabh Pant's inability to get going after a start. He has more or less carried the responsibility of the top-order single-handedly.
Ahead of the final, Sharma has scored 248 runs in seven innings at an average of 41.33, to be the third-highest run scorer of the competition. His exploits have resulted in three fifties, including successive ones during crunch fixtures against Australia and England. Another landmark showing in the finals will seal the deal in the Hitman's favor to be crowned as player of the tournament.
#2 Jasprit Bumrah
The right-arm pacer entered the tournament as the best all-format seamer, but he will end the tournament by being the outright best bowler in the T20 format. Four other bowlers have picked up more wickets than Jasprit Bumrah, but none match him when it comes to impact.
The Indian speedster has often made a difference for his side with his spells. Rohit Sharma has always been able to count on him to make breakthroughs, break partnerships, or contain the opposition to build pressure, that too at any stage of the innings.
He has taken 13 wickets in seven matches, with a brilliant economy rate of just 4.12. This includes Player of the Match displays against Ireland and Pakistan in the group stages of the tournament.
#3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The Afghanistan opening batter was a rock at the top of the order and played a huge hand in his side's famous run to the semi-finals of the tournament. Gurbaz's solidity at the top shielded the fragile Afghanistan middle order from being exposed early.
Additionally, the copious time he spent at the crease yielded runs that turned out to be the foundation for the Afghanistan bowlers to come into the picture. With the finals yet to be played, he is the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 281 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 124.33 and an average of 35.12.
#4 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Three of the top five wicket-takers in the tournament are from Afghanistan, and left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi leads the pack with a historic 17 wickets in eight matches, with an economy rate of 6.31.
He began the World Cup with a five-wicket haul against Uganda and then picked up a four-wicket haul in the mammoth win over New Zealand. He continued his fine run with three wickets apiece in the matches against Papua New Guinea and India.
#5 Anrich Nortje
The South African pacer roared back into form with the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign after missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup and a dismal 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with the Delhi Capitals. He reminded everyone what he is capable of when not troubled by injuries or niggles.
Nortje has been integral in South Africa's unbeaten run into the finals. He has kept the batters on a leash in the middle overs, and his numbers reflect the same. With 13 wickets in eight matches, he is the Proteas' leading wicket-taker, and his efforts have come with an economy rate of just 5.64.