Kohli, Shami Or Rohit; Who Will Win The Player of The Tournament World Cup 2023?

image-lp3tglxsMohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma in World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

The stage is set for the grand finale of the World Cup 2023 as the home team, India go head-to-head against the five-time champions, Australia. It is a dream final for any cricketing fans as two proud nations with rich cricketing history eye ultimate glory again at the biggest cricket stadium in the world.

However, the tournament as a whole has been quite fascinating and there have been plenty of mind-boggling performances along the way. So, now after 45 league stage games and two thrilling semifinals, let's look at the candidates who can win the prestigious 'Player of the Tournament' award.

Mohammed Shami

image-lp3tiemqMohammed Shami in the World Cup 2023 semifinal (AP Photos)

The ace-speedster has set the World Cup on fire with his some scintillating performances. The man has taken 23 wickets in just 6 games after sitting out in the initial four matches. It includes a historic seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in a big knockout game like semifinal and after such performances it would be hard to look ahead of Shami for the player of the tournament award.

In total, Shami has taken three five-wicket hauls and one four-fer and the fact that he has taken these wickets mostly on flat decks where tons of runs have been scored, makes his performances even more special.

Virat Kohli

image-lp3tjrt4Virat Kohli after scoring century against NZ in semifinal (AP Photos)

'The King' as he is fondly known across the cricketing fraternity has looked like a man on mission in this World Cup. Virat Kohli's consistency has been the hallmark of his batting over the years, and on the big stage, he has once again delivered for India.

Virat Kohli is now the only player in the history of the 50-over World Cups to score over 700 runs - 711 runs to be precise at an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of 90.69. He has played 10 games and apart from two games, he has scored 50-plus in every other game. Just like Mohammed Shami, he also played a big role in India's win in semifinal with a fine 117 off 113 balls and has scored three hundreds in this World Cup so far. 

Adam Zampa

image-lp3tlojjAdam Zampa has taken 22 wickets in World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

Adam Zampa has been Australia's trump card in this World Cup and his performances have played a key role in changing Australia's fortunes in the tournament. He was slow to get off the blocks and picked only one wickets in the initial two games. Australia went onto lose those two games as well but then came the redemption for Zampa as well as Australia.

Australia stage an eight-match winning streak to enter the final and Zampa bamboozled opponents with his crafty leg-breaks in almost all of those games. He has taken three four-fers so far and they came in consecutive games which were followed by back-to-back three wicket-hauls as well, making Zampa one of Australia's greatest asset in the World Cup 2023.

Rohit Sharma

image-lp3tn73kRohit Sharma has scored 550 runs in 10 match (AP Photos)

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma is arguably the most impactful batter in this World Cup. Rohit has made it a habit to hammer opposition bowlers all over the park in this World Cup and has slammed 28 sixes, most sixes by any batter in a single World Cup edition. He has scored 550 runs as well at an average of 55 and an amazing strike rate of 124.15 that has played a key role in India's dominating wins in this World Cup.

Rohit Sharma has scored one century with three impactful fifties and and one of those fifties came on a difficult track at Lucknow, where all other batters failed to deliver. Rohit's captaincy has also been top-notch and Rohit gets going in the final too, he might well take India to their third 50-over World Cup title and grab 'Player of the Tournament' award as well.