World Cup 2019: The Most Valuable Player from each team
The ICC World Cup 2019 is almost a month away and the excitement among fans is increasing with each passing day. The event in England and Wales will see 10 teams participating. India and England go in as the favorites to clinch the trophy. Every nation will be banking on its most prized asset. We pick the Most Valuable Player (MVP) from each team.
Jason Roy can be England's best bet
England have a settled side and there are plenty of star players across departments that can make themselves heard. Opener Jason Roy is a genuine match-winner for England. His aggression at the top and power-hitting skills will give them the platform to build. Roy has 2,661 runs in 71 innings. He has hit seven centuries with the last coming against West Indies in February.
Virat Kohli is the GOAT
India have their share of big match players and there is a lot of experience in the 15-member team. Skipper Virat Kohli is, undoubtedly, the best best for the Men in Blue. The 30-year-old has taken his performance to newer levels and he topped the scoring charts in 2018. He has 10,843 runs in 227 ODIs with 41 hundreds, at an average of 59.57.
Trent Boult can swing the trophy in New Zealand's favor
New Zealand boast of real steel and flexibility. Fast bowler Trent Boult has been in excellent form in recent times and he will benefit immensely from the English conditions which assist swing. Boult stole the show in the 2015 edition of the World Cup. The left-arm pacer can potentially serve as the most valuable player. He has picked up 147 scalps from 79 ODIs.
Chris Gayle can deliver in his final stint in ODIs
The 2019 World Cup will be Chris Gayle's last stint in ODI cricket as he has already announced that this will be his final appearance. The southpaw will want to sign off with a bang. The 39-year-old generally starts slow these days before pressing the button. He smashed his 25th ODI ton against England recently. Gayle has 10,151 runs from 289 ODIs.
Veteran Dale Steyn could boost South Africa
Dale Steyn is back to his best and it looks like the veteran has put the injury worries behind him. The right-arm fast bowler is clocking in excess of 140kph consistently and broke a plethora of records in Test matches recently. This is set to be Steyn's final World Cup and expect him to dictate the proceedings. He has 196 wickets from 125 matches.
David Warner's return could aid the Aussies
Australia have hit the form at the right time, as they won twin series against India and Pakistan. They further get a boost by the return of David Warner and Steve Smith. Warner, who is enjoying his time in IPL, can be the game-changer for Australia. Warner is experienced and scored 345 runs in the 2015 edition. He has 4,343 runs from 106 matches.
Bangladesh and Lanka look up to pace assets
Mustafizur Rahman can be decisive for Bangladesh. The Tigers denied him permission to feature in global T20 leagues in order to protect him for the mega tourney. Mustafizur's lively pace and swing can help in seaming conditions. Fizz has 77 ODI wickets from 43 ODIs. For Sri Lanka, veteran warhorse Lasith Malinga is still the best option. The 35-year-old has 322 ODI wickets.
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Pakistan's Babar Azam are world class
Afghanistan have the sensational Rashid Khan in their ranks. The 20-year-old ace spinner can bowl on any track and is a genuine wicket-taker. Rashid has taken 123 wickets from just 57 matches. Dark horses Pakistan will pin their hopes on Babar Azam. The 24-year-old has consistency written all over and analyzes the situation well. He has 2,462 runs at an average of 51.29.
