ICC World Cup 2019: 3 players who can emerge as the Player of the Tournament

Champions rise to the occasion when the stakes are high. And in the world of cricket, there is no stage bigger than the World Cup. It is their performance on a stage as big as the the World Cup that allows cricketers to enshrine their names in the annals of history.

Adam Gilchrist’s 149 will be remembered more vividly than any other hundred of his, because it came in the final of the 2007 World Cup, and enabled Australia to lift their third consecutive World Cup trophy. Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 sits right at the top of the various gems that he conjured in ODI cricket, because it came in the marquee tournament - against arch-rivals Pakistan, in the 2003 edition. And needless to say, millions of Indians will forever remember the 91* that MS Dhoni hit, because it helped India lift the World Cup after 28 years.

In this article, let us look at three cricketers who are likely to make a big impact at the World Cup 2019, and could emerge as the Player of the Tournament.

#3 David Warner

David Warner

David Warner is a dynamite with the bat. His ability to provide blistering starts at the top of the order makes him a lethal weapon for Australia.

The mercurial left-handed batsman was in rollicking form in the 2019 edition of the IPL, smashing 692 runs at an average of 69.20, including 1 hundred and 8 fifties. Warner’s ability to play thunderous strokes, coupled with his ability to back himself in pressure situations, makes him the danger man as far as the opposition is concerned.

If Warner can continue the stupendous form that he showed in the IPL into the World cup, not only can he propel his team to blistering starts at the top of the order, but he can also emerge as the Player of the Tournament.

#2 Andre Russell

Andre Russell

Andre Russell will be the biggest trump card for the West Indies in the 12th edition of the World Cup. He is the complete package, and a man who can rattle any opposition on his day.

Russell can hit powerful sixes with ridiculous ease. He can also come in and bowl tight lengths at good pace that can trouble the batsmen, and he is extremely athletic on the field.

In the just-concluded 12th edition of the IPL, Russell showed the world what he is capable of. He scored 510 runs for KKR at an ethereal strike rate of 204.81, smashing a stunning 52 sixes, and also took 11 wickets with the ball.

Russell’s all-round show is exactly what the West Indies will be banking on. If he can deliver to his potential, then this talented West Indian can indeed emerge as the Player of the Tournament.

#1 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the greatest batsman of the modern era

Is there any question about Virat Kohli’s prowess? Arguably the greatest batsman of the modern era, Kohli has been redefining what it means to be consistent with the bat.

He has scored close to 11,000 ODI runs, and is already second in the list of the highest century makers in ODI cricket - behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

In his last 50 ODI innings, Kohli has scored an astounding 3151 runs, including 14 hundreds and 11 fifties. His ability to judge the length early, and to make the most difficult of shots look ridiculously easy, make him an absolute nightmare for the bowlers.

The master batsman will be looking to lead from the front with the willow this World Cup. And if he can do that, Kohli will certainly score heaps of runs and emerge as the strongest contender to win the Player of the Tournament award.