ICC World Cup 2019: Team-wise one cricketer who could be the player of the tournament

There is always a special place in cricket history for the players who end up winning the Man of the Tournament award in a World Cup. Yuvraj Singh‘s monumental effort in 2011 was something not many felt can be outperformed, but then came Mitchell Starc the next season replicating what Glenn McGrath did in the 2007 edition.

The stories of Mohinder Amarnath’s heroics in 1983 or Imran Khan’s sheer magnetic and enigmatic presence in 1992, all of these have combined to create enough inspiration to make up champion cricketers for the future. Now that another exciting edition of the World Cup is upon us, there will be more heroics to watch and stories to tell.

The tournament has already begun and the first few games have produced some predictable results. There could be some huge surprises in the store as the championship progresses but before that, here are some names from each team who has the ability to probably win this elite individual prize.

1. Mohammad Nabi – Afghanistan

Going sheerly by how much he brings to the table, Mohammad Nabi is such a gem for Afghanistan. Even on tracks where there is too much grass or moisture, he somehow manages to get out some good overs with the ball. The all-rounder is also an important presence in their middle order, making him one of the most valuable all-rounders around.

There are some expectations from Afghanistan this time, that they could kill some giants on their way. They have some X-Factor players who could stamp their authority and win some big games, one of them being Nabi. He has played a lot of cricket around the globe and perhaps, all of that experience could come in handy here.

2. David Warner – Australia

Having players who can score runs consistently is a huge bonus and having someone like David Warner is a little beyond just a huge bonus. His consistency continues to stagger the cricketing world and he is also mastering in shifting gears these days, from playing second-fiddles to murdering the bowling attacks.

He scored the slowest fifty of his career against Afghanistan in Australia’s opening game, but he just batted beautifully to what the situation demanded. We all know how brutal he can get if he decides to take the fifth gear and a lot of neutral cricketing fans are expecting serious fireworks from his willow.

3. Ben Stokes – England

A lot of eyes will be on Jos Buttler but also spare a thought for Ben Stokes, who can bat, bowl and field to equal and great effect. He could score a hundred in an important game, he could pick some big wickets whenever he is called upon and we all have seen what he can do on the field, picking blinders for fun.

One major facet against him was he has not been in good form ever since the Bristol bar incident. Yet, there was once a man who wasn’t in the greatest of form leading up to the World Cup but ended up not just winning the trophy, but also winning this elite prize. Yes, we’re talking about Yuvraj Singh. The stage is set very similarly for Stokes, home conditions, fans backing him and a fantastic start already to his account, he could be very huge as the tournament progresses.

4. Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh

To have a cricketer who could bat in the top four and also bowl ten overs consistently is such a blessing and Bangladesh are really blessed to have Shakib Al Hasan on their side. Perhaps the most valuable all-rounder in the world right now, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, who for the first time are hoping they could actually win the big prize.

He is batting very well and has scored a lot of runs in Ireland ahead of this tournament, so he should be finding it not so difficult to pick up from where he left. With the ball, he might not get a lot of purchase from the track and this is where his experience and trickery/variations come into picture big time.

5. Trent Boult – New Zealand

In the warm-up game against the Windies where the Caribbean side scored 421 runs batting first, Trent Boult returned with figures of 4/50 in 9 overs whilst others got battered to all parts. Even in the first game against India, he crucified their top order with some outstanding fast bowling, which makes him a serious contender for this prize.

The left-arm seamer finished as the joint highest wicket-taker in the last World Cup and if New Zealand had won the tournament, he perhaps could’ve been the man of the tournament instead of Mitchell Starc. He has a shot at redemption and is probably in the finest form of his life, making his case a very serious one to deal with.

6. Babar Azam – Pakistan

Perhaps the only player right now in the Pakistani squad who is in a good headspace to play at the highest level, Babar Azam is literally carrying the burden of their batting line-up at the biggest stage possible. Another fact that people cannot disregard is that he is very matured a cricketer for a 24-year-old.

He scored runs against England in the bilateral series leading up to the World Cup and didn’t get off to the finest possible start in the big tournament against Windies. Yet, there is always an abundance of promise that comes with him and he will not be leaving England without making sure the world knows his name.

7. Kagiso Rabada – South Africa

The young and exuberant speedster has started the verbal war already and Kagiso Rabada will also be desperate to make some impact on the field. He has the skillset and temperament to perform as well as some of the best in the world, but these aren’t tried and tested boundaries. The pressure of a World Cup is always a different ball game.

Yet, when you look at this team, there is this one player who stands out among the rest and that is him. An amalgamation of various factors like his recent performances, his pace, his ability to hold his nerve in crucial moments and others make him a very valuable prospect in this regard.

8. Kusal Perera – Sri Lanka

It is difficult to pick a player in this side who could stand up and make a universal difference, but Kusal Perera is someone who has the audacity to do something brilliant. The southpaw has shades of Sanath Jayasuriya in himself and his aggressive intent could come in handy where pitches are well-suited for his style of batting.

There will be a lot of games in the coming tournament where he will have a great opportunity and a flat batting track to express himself. What he can do with such an opportunity will determine how far Sri Lanka will be heading in this tournament. As it stands, the signs don’t look very promising, but one can never say never in this sport.

9. Shai Hope – Windies

Shai Hope’s form in recent times has been spectacular and is certainly in contention to win this prize. Not a lot of experts would’ve given Windies a chance to go all the way this tournament a couple of months ago. But looking at their current balance and batting form in specific, they are being tipped as one of the hot favourites to reach the semi-finals.

Hope was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Tri-series in Ireland and he surely will get a lot of runs in this tournament. He loves a good batting deck and makes the most of what he gets. The 25-year-old is a fantastic wicket-keeper and also has a sensational ODI record thus far to back my point. Do not be surprised if he is right up there among the best this tournament.

10. Virat Kohli – India

Already being touted as the greatest ODI batsman of all-time, it might be difficult to believe but Virat Kohli is already closing in on the 11,000-mark in this format and he might get there in this tournament. He won this award twice in the ICC World T20 2014 and 2016, where he elevated his batting to a level where very few cricketers in the past and present could reach.

This is what makes him such a threatening factor for most oppositions. He is not afraid of challenges and the bigger the occasion, the better he is. England has not been a very happy hunting ground in his career and he will have to break some deadlocks if he wishes to win this elite prize.