Ex-England leader Nasser Hussain named India’s Virat Kohli as his top pick for a strong 2024 season.
At 35, Kohli had a remarkable 2023, securing his position as the second-highest scorer. He notched up 2,048 runs, counting eight centuries. In the 2023 World Cup, he was the star, recording a mass total of 765 runs from 11 matches. His average? A staggering 95.62.
Even though India missed the top prize to Australia, Kohli was honored as the Tournament’s Best Player for his brilliance with the bat.
Sharing his views in an ICC video, Hussain backed Kohli for a super 2024. He praised the batsman’s stunning performance in the 2023 World Cup.
“My first one is a megastar and there is no doubt about it. Virat Kohli. Obviously, he had a fantastic 2023 and World Cup. Amid all the records he broke and the attention, we did not focus on how well he was batting.”
“Technically, I have never seen Virat bat as well like that. The sound of the bat, that innings against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, I can name about five innings where he was getting in a good position. That is a good sign for Virat, India and Virat fans. It means that he is in a good mental space and his game is in good order.”
Nasser Hussain
In 2023, Kohli outdid Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable 49 ODI hundreds, impressively securing his 50th in the World Cup semi-final versus New Zealand. In the opening Test of South Africa’s current tour, this standout player emerged as India’s top scorer, contributing 38 and 76 in their initial defeat.
“Biggest thing he can do for Pakistan cricket is get shed load of runs” – Nasser Hussain picks Babar Azam alongside Virat Kohli for a successful 2024
Upon considering Virat Kohli, Nasser Hussain selected ex-Pakistan captain Babar Azam as his next promising pick for a successful 2024.
Although Babar had a strong performance throughout the first half of 2023, he saw a downturn during the back end of the year. By the year’s conclusion, Babar had amassed 1,399 runs in various match formats. His average rested slightly below 40, boasting three hundreds across 35 matches.
After the World Cup, Babar gave up the captaincy in all formats due to several inquiries about it.
“Another one, they are often compared. Babar Azam. I think it is a massive year for him and Pakistan. He has given up captaincy, that may be the weight off his shoulders.”
Nasser Hussain
Nasser Hussain Added:
The biggest thing he can do for Pakistan cricket is get shed load of runs. They need him to get runs. There will be a T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. They got to the finals last time. They will need their ex-skipper to put in a real performance.”
Nasser Hussain
At the World Cup, Babar’s only 320 runs in nine games put him below the top 25 list of scorers. A major factor in Pakistan’s failure to get in the top four of the tournament was his patchy performance with the bat.
During the current three-Test series in Australia, Pakistan has fallen down 0-2 as the star batter has struggled, averaging just 19.25.