Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has made a bold prediction for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. He has picked Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as the top wicket-taker for the tournament.
Ricky Ponting backs Jasprit Bumrah in T20 WC
Ponting’s prediction is based on Bumrah’s recent performance in the IPL 2024, where he took 20 wickets in 13 matches. Bumrah’s ability to swing the new ball and maintain an economy rate of less than seven runs per over, even while bowling during the powerplay and death overs, makes him a formidable force.
“My leading wicket-taker for the tournament will be Jasprit Bumrah,” Ponting told The ICC Review.
Ponting highlighted Bumrah’s consistent performance over the years and his recent form in the IPL 2024. He believes that Bumrah’s ability to bowl the hard overs in T20 cricket gives him a chance to pick up a lot of wickets.
“I just think an outstanding performer, contributor for a number of years now. He’s just come off an outstanding IPL.
“What he can do with the new ball, he swings the new ball, he has the seam up. But at the end, his economy rate at the end of the IPL was less than seven runs an over.
“He takes wickets. He does bowl a lot of the hardovers too. When you bowl the hard overs in T20 cricket, it gives you a chance to pick up a lot of wickets along the way. So, I’m going with him.”
In addition to Bumrah, Ponting also picked Australian batsman Travis Head as the top run-scorer for the tournament. Head had a successful IPL 2024 campaign, scoring 567 runs from 15 matches. Ponting praised Head for his fearless batting and believes that he will continue his good form in the T20 World Cup.
Ricky Ponting's Prediction for #T20WorldCup 👇🏻
Highest Run-Scorer: Travis Head
Highest Wicket-taker: Jasprit Bumrah pic.twitter.com/36iYbcxrJt— IPL Scoop (@Ipl_scoop) May 30, 2024
Ponting’s predictions add an extra layer of excitement to the T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, is set to begin from June 2. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see if Ponting’s predictions come true and how the players perform in the tournament.
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