Who will have the most runs at the ICC World Cup?

You might remember how Rohit Sharma and David Warner were on the verge of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs (673) in a World Cup in the 2019 edition. However, both star openers were dismissed cheaply in the semi-finals, and India and Australia could not make it to the big dance.

Currently, Muhammad Rizwan is the highest run-getter in this year’s World Cup with 199 runs from 2 innings. KL Rahul also scored an unbeaten 97 to take India home against Australia. We need to understand that it’s unlikely that they would accumulate a lot of runs at the positions they bat on.

We look at the top contenders to achieve this feat in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.

Who will have the most runs at the ICC World Cup?

The big names – Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, David Warner

Virat Kohli has been in splendid form this year, scoring 697 runs in 14 innings at an average of 58 and a strike rate of 106. He played a crucial knock against Australia, scoring 85 off 116 after India were 3 down for nothing in the 2nd over. He has a point to prove by winning the World Cup at home. Despite his greatness, he is yet to have a 50-overs World Cup where he was the standout batter. Could this be the time?

Joe Root has started the World Cup in sublime touch, scoring 77 off 83 balls against New Zealand and 82 off 68 balls against Afghanistan. He’s a brilliant player of spin bowling and is one of the best players in the middle overs of the game.

Rohit Sharma started his campaign with a duck against Australia, but he has been in good form this year – 658 runs in 16 innings at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 109. Although he not racked up a lot of big scores recently, he surely has the ability to do so.

David Warner scored 40 off 51 deliveries against India in his first match of the World Cup. He will be very crucial if Australia are to go all the way and lift their 6th World Cup. He was just one run behind Rohit the last time around, and he is a man for the big tournaments.

The consistent accumulators – Devon Conway, Rassie van der Dussen

Devon Conway is arguably the safest bet for the top scorer, considering the fact that he is an opener. And unlike most other openers, he is more of an accumulator. He does have an attacking gear in his game which he showed in his unbeaten 152 against England, but he is largely consistent in this format.

Rassie van der Dussen epitomizes the way this South African team approaches modern day ODI cricket. They keep going faster in every 10-ball block phase in the innings. He has been an incredible player, and one that most fans sleep on.

The surprise picks – Kusal Mendis, Rachin Ravindra

Kusal Mendis has turned up in this World Cup playing like he has never before. Not only is he the second highest run getter (198 in 2 innings) at the moment, but he’s also done it at an incredibly fast rate (166.38)

Most people would not have thought a month ago that Rachin Ravindra would open the innings in the World Cup opener and scored a century against the defending champions on his World Cup debut.

The best players in this WC cycle – Babar Azam, Shubman Gill

However, we need to talk about two more players who were arguably at the top in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Shubman Gill is still the leading run-scorer of the year, with 1230 runs at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 105. However, the opening batter was ruled out of the first two games because of dengue fever, and he may not even be fit for the clash against Pakistan on Saturday. The fact that you’re not at your best fitness even after recovering from this disease must be factored in, before considering him as an option.

Babar Azam has seen a drop in form since the Asia Cup. He recorded an average of over 70 in this World Cup cycle and scored the most runs. He definitely has the capability to score big runs, so it would be unfair to rule him out just yet. But he would have to find form as soon as possible.

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