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With the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled to commence on October 5 in India, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are closely monitoring team preparations and potential standout performers in the tournament.
The opening match of the exciting competition will see England face New Zealand, while hosts India will launch their campaign against Australia on October 8. As anticipation builds, cricket experts are beginning to make their predictions for the event.
AB de Villiers’ bold prediction
Adding his voice to the chorus of predictions, South African cricket icon AB de Villiers has boldly named his pick for the highest run-scorer of the ODI World Cup 2023. De Villiers believes that Indian opener Shubman Gill will have a stellar tournament and emerge as the leading run-getter.
De Villiers highlighted Shubman’s exceptional form and praised his solid technique, making a strong case for his prediction. One of the factors working in Gill’s favor, according to De Villiers, is that he will be playing on home turf in India. While acknowledging the pressure that comes with such expectations, the Proteas legend firmly stood by his choice.
“Shubman Gill will be the highest run-scorer in the World Cup. He is in great form. I was always going to go with an opening batter—at the very worst, a No. 3 batter. I think Shubman is in such form that it would be silly of me to overlook him. He is a great player and has a fantastic technique. He is playing at home in India, yes, there will be pressure but he is my pick,” said De Villiers on his YouTube channel.
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De Villiers highlights Shubman’s ability to pick lengths quickly
De Villiers emphasized Shubman’s ability to adapt to different phases of the game and put pressure on bowlers. He also praised Shubman’s exceptional skill in picking up the length of deliveries quickly, a trait shared by some of the world’s best players. The 39-yead-old commended the Indian opener’s simplicity and basic technique, noting that despite his youth, he already possesses the composure of an experienced campaigner.
“His style and technique are quite simple and basic, as you would generally say for some of the best players of the world. He can change the gears and put a lot of pressure on the bowlers. He has got this incredible ability of picking up the length very quickly; you see that with some of the best players in the world. Shubman is very quickly becoming one of those, one of the best players in all the formats. Very exciting young talent. He is still young but looks like an experienced campaigner already,” added De Villiers.
