10 Cricketers to Watch at the Cricket World Cup 2024
The world’s major athletes frequently opt for the most grand occasions to leave their mark on the game.
Now with the ICC WC 2024 underway, cricket lovers can eagerly watch their favorite stars shine and take their nations to glory at the end of the close to a monthlong tournament on 29 June.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan Schedule
The largest-ever edition of the WC with 20 regions battling is set to offer the largest names to the fore, but only a couple make our list of cricketers to watch out for.
India – Virat Kohli
Not a lot needs to be mentioned about Kohli, without a doubt the biggest name in the cricket world, but his latest form speaks volumes—the India talisman furnished on top of the run-scoring lits at the newly concluded IPL.
Read More: All You Need to Know About the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Kohli was the player of the tournament at the 50-over WC 2023. AT 35, the T20 WC could make his final try to add another trophy to a shimmering career, and the man frequently renowned as King Kohli is not one to miss too many opportunities.
Pakistan – Babar Azam
Pakistan’s back-again captain is considered one of the finest batters in the cricket world across all formats. His role at the top of the order for his side is so critical that if Pakistan is to make a run for the final, then it will majorly be based on Babar’s run at the tournament.
The 29-year-old has already made 287 international occurrences in all formats for his nation and goes into the WC in rich form.
England – Jofra Archer
The right-arm seamer bowled the Super Over for England in their WC 2019 final triumph against New Zealand but has been tormented by injuries ever since.
Born in Barbados, Archer’s raw pace and awareness of the conditions in the West Indies will be critical in England’s pursuit for a record 3rd T20 world title.
Afghanistan – Rashin Khan
Khan is a man who wears several hats for Afghanistan and does so with a smile. For Afghanistan to have an excellent WC, Rashid who is without a doubt their largest star and most crucial player, has to shine as a bowler, captain, and lower-order batter.
The wily leg spinner is able to halt the charge of some of the largest batsmen internationally and set opposition bowling on fire with his major hitting.
West Indies – Andre Russell
Russell is a veteran of 2 T20 WC wins in 2012 and 2016 and a crucial cog in KKR’s title-winning run at the newly finished IPL. His form with ball and bat, right till the final, was necessary for Kolkata’s 3 IPL title.
West Indies lovers will hope the powerful all-rounder will duplicate for his nation and bring them a 3rd title as well.
Australia – Adam Zampa
A 32-year-old wrist-spinner had a blended WC 2023 campaign, during which he was forecasted to shin for Australia. He did come up with the goods at a critical time, however, and played his part in dragging the Aussies from a delayed beginning to lifting the trophy. An economy rate of 7.5 in T20Is is a fraction high, but his standard of 22 must be addressed. In the absence of another specialist leg spinner, Zampa will shoulder the burden of the spin division.
New Zealand – Finn Allen
The New Zealand opener broke into Pakistan in their T20 series this year with a brilliant showcase of six-hitting. Should he reach his complete potential, his raw power will be nearly unstoppable against any team.
This player has a strike rate of just below 170 in T20 internationals, and with his 137 in the series against Pakistan, he switched Brendan McCullum to the top of the greatest individual scorers for the team in T20s.
Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga
Following an injury-hit in 2023, Hasaranga has returned to captain Sri Lanka from the front in their latest limited-over outings.
The all-rounder’s powerful middle-order existence – at a strike rate of 130 – can’t be neglected. Then comes Wanindu’s leg spin. In 63 T20 international innings, he has taken 104 wickets at an average of 15.
South Africa – Gerald Coetzee
The quick bowler is swiftly establishing himself as an important element of the South African side. Besides following youngster Marco Jansen, the 23-year-old is part of a promising future for the Proteas attack.
Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan
Ranked 2 behind only Hasaranga on the ICC’s list of all-rounders. A veteran of 122 T20 internationals and continuously ranked the leading all-rounder across all formats, the left-hander has twelve 50s at a strike rate of 122, averaging 20 with his delayed left arms for his 146 wickets.
Shakib is one of the few players who have played in all 8 editions of the T20 WC.
Notable Mentions
- Jasprit Bumrah – India
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Pakistan
- Jos Buttler – Engalnd
