In a surprising turn, former West Indies pacer turned expert, Ian Bishop, bypasses cricket giants Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, tipping 33-year-old England batsman Jos Buttler as the top run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2024. Ian Bishop‘s prediction highlights Buttler’s stellar IPL 2024 performance for the Rajasthan Royals, where he amassed 359 runs across 11 matches, including two centuries.
Ian Bishop, a name synonymous with fast bowling in the Caribbean, boasts a successful career on and off the field.
During his playing days, Bishop was a fearsome right-arm fast bowler who represented the West Indies cricket team between 1988 and 1998. He was known for his pace, accuracy, and the ability to form a potent opening bowling partnership with Curtly Ambrose. Unfortunately, his career was plagued by injuries, forcing him to miss crucial matches and series. Despite this, Bishop managed to have impressive stints, achieving a bowling average under 25 on three separate occasions. Following his retirement in 1998, Ian Bishop transitioned smoothly into the world of cricket commentary. He now travels the globe, gracing the commentary box with his insightful analysis and articulate voice. Bishop is particularly vocal about the current state of West Indies cricket, often expressing his desire to see his former team regain its past glory.
What Ian Bishop Said
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop, now an expert, has made bold predictions ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to unfold in the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to 29. Despite the anticipation surrounding defending champions England, top-ranked T20I team India, and powerhouse Australia, Bishop has raised eyebrows by overlooking batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, instead favouring a Rajasthan Royals standout as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
Ian said in the ESPNcricinfo show,
“I am going to go for a top-order batter, and I am going to say Jos Buttler of England.”
Buttler, the captain of the victorious English team in the 2022 T20 World Cup, left an indelible mark by scoring 225 runs in six matches, securing the title of leading run-scorer for his team and fourth overall in the tournament. His unbeaten 80-run knock against India in the second semifinal on November 10, 2022, showcased his prowess. Additionally, the former pacer favoured India spinner Kuldeep Yadav over Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024. For the top four teams, he backed India, England, the West Indies, and Australia to advance to the knockouts.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Ian Bishop Backs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Captain Shreyas Iyer To Come Good