Finding form ahead of T20 World Cup 2024: Stars showing wares at IPL

Mumbai: IPL 2024 has seen a number of world-class performers showcase the best of their game, as India's domestic stars make a final case for the T20 World Cup squad selection.

A man held to lofty standards, Virat Kohli's century against Rajasthan Royals was met with some for denunciation being too slow. Finishing with 113 not out (72) in a score of 183/3, Kohli was bettered by Jos Buttler’s 100 not out (58), as the Englishman’s side claimed bragging rights.

Kohli also made a 59-ball 83 not out against the Kolkata Knight Riders, though it was his 49-ball 77 in a successful chase against the Punjab Kings that underlined his uncanny ability to pace his team’s chase.

Domestic players currently hold every spot in top five to this point, with former India U19 international Riyan Parag racing to 261 runs at a strike rate of 158.18 in his first five knocks, unbeaten in two. Shubman Gill has again shown his quality with 255 runs at a strike rate of 151.78 in five knocks, while Sai Sudharsan, who has three ODIs to his name, has 226 runs across six innings.

It hasn’t quite worked out for Sanju Samson so far in international cricket, but the Rajasthan Royals mainstay has again showed his quality, making three scores of over fifty to begin the campaign.

For the internationals at the tournament, it’s South African fans that will have some cautious optimism, with the likes of Heinrich Klaasen (186 runs at 193.75 strike rate) and Tristan Stubbs (174 runs at 193.33 strike rate) making early headlines, an ICC report said.

Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram meanwhile both boast half-centuries at the tournament, while Faf du Plessis, after throwing his name up for a comeback, has had a slower start to his 2024 campaign.

West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran meanwhile has 178 runs to his name having only been dismissed once in the tournament, flying at a strike rate of 169.52. Australian pair Travis Head and David Warner have a fifty each to begin the campaign.

As India look to find the right formula with the ball, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has proved his class once more, winning the race to 10 wickets in the 2024 edition, taking five matches to reach the mark. Not only has the 33-year-old conceded just 7.33 runs an over, but has claimed at least one victim in all five outings.

In good news for Bangladesh fans, the red and green flag has been flown high by Mustafizur Rahman at Chennai Super Kings, taking nine wickets at an economy of just eight across four outings. He leads fast bowlers at the tournament thus far, and should spearheard the Tigers' attack come June in the USA and the West Indies.

Having thundered onto the international scene at the last T20 World Cup in Australia, left-arm new ball specialist Arshdeep Singh is again peaking ahead of a global tournament, picking up a wicket every 14 deliveries for Punjab Kings.

Certain India selection Jasprit Bumrah's reputation has seen Mumbai Indians' opponents at least attempt to see off the world-class quick, who has conceded 6.12 runs per over across his first four matches, claiming five wickets.

The competition is the time to showcase quality, and the opportunity has been taken by a number of domestic quicks gunning for India squad spots. After his name was thrown around last season, Mohit Sharma has again impressed, picking up eight wickets in his first six outings for Gujarat Titans. Youngster Mayank Yadav has left an impression with his 150+ kph rockets too much for a number of batters.

As their batters overall impress, Proteas fans too will be upbeat on the success of their fast bowlers, namely Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada. A nominee for the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year after a strong 2023 Cricket World Cup showing, Coetzee has again enjoyed his time in India with seven wickets in four outings, while Rabada has seven scalps in five matches.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan will no doubt make headlines at the T20 World Cup, though it was his death-over exploits with the bat that had the IPL talking, hitting the winning runs off the last ball of the match for Gujarat Titans over the Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (April 10). Rashid's 24 (11) and 1/18 earned him Player of the Match honours.

West Indies' Andre Russell could make a case as the IPL's best all-rounder so far in 2024, making quickfire scores of 41 (19) and 64 (25) to go with five wickets in four outings. Russell returned for the West Indies late last year for their home white-ball series of England, and looks poised to enjoy a home T20 World Cup.

Sam Curran, a member to perform on that England tour, has claimed six wickets at the IPL, as well as scores of 63, 23 and 29 for the Punjab Kings.

Ravindra Jadeja lurks as another player to play a key role at the T20 World Cup, only dismissed once in his late-over batting blitzes (84 runs at 140 strike rate) to go with his four wickets, at an economy of 7.05.