Experts Predict Top Run Scorers For T20 World Cup 2024: Kohli Leads The Race

Steve Smith has endorsed Virat Kohli to score the most runs in the T20 World Cup 2024. Smith, who has joined ICC's elite commentary panel for the event after not being picked in the Australian squad, highlighted Kohli's impressive performance in IPL 2024.

Virat Kohli amassed 741 runs at a strike rate exceeding 150, earning the IPL 2024 Orange Cap. He revamped his T20 game, addressing critics by enhancing his strike rate. Kohli opened for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and is expected to open with Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup 2024.

"My top run-getter for this tournament will be Virat Kohli. He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form and I think he will be the leading run-getter," said Smith.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith also expressed confidence in Virat Kohli for the top honour. He mentioned that England captain Jos Buttler is another contender to score the most runs in the T20 World Cup 2024.

"I am going with a top-order batter. Virat Kohli or Jos Buttler," said Graeme Smith.

However, former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn backed compatriot Reeza Hendricks to finish as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. Hendricks scored four runs off two balls in his first outing of the tournament against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Steve Smith has also backed Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood to become the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024. Graeme Smith supported spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Keshav Maharaj, and Rashid Khan while noting that a pacer like Jasprit Bumrah will always be a strong contender.

"Leading wicket-taker, I am gonna go with Josh Hazlewood. The wickets will be suited to bowlers bowling good hard lengths and hitting the wicket hard," said Steve Smith.

"I think through the tournament spinners play their role, so the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal, maybe even Maharaj, Rashid Khan would come to the fore. But the likes of Jasprit Bumrah in the seam will always be there," added Graeme Smith.

Josh Hazlewood was also backed by Steve Smith as the MVP of T20 World Cup 2024. Dale Steyn supported South Africa's Tristan Stubbs for this honour.