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Skippers to watch out for


Published : 24 May 2019 09:15 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 09:12 PM

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is approaching thick and fast. Today Bangladesh Post looks at some captains who through their extraordinary leadership quality can make crucial contributions in their respective teams’ success in the upcoming World Cup. Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Bangladesh When it comes to having a leader who can single handedly thrive the team forward there is no one better than Bangladesh’s inspirational captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza.

He is undisputedly the best ever captain that Tigers ever had. Be it statistics wise or making crucial decisions during the crunch moments of the match, skipper Mashrafe always makes it right and calms his team’s nerves with ease. His captaincy has acted as the glue to a talented but often undisciplined side. Often, his teammates are inspired by his words.

When Mashrafe has taken three wickets or more in an ODI, Bangladesh have won 22 out of those 33 games. Under his captaincy, Tigers have no boundaries to their success in the World Cup. Virat Kohli, India Just like Mashrafe, Indian skipper Virat Kohli can win a cricket match alone with his outstanding batting skills, especially when it comes to chasing a match in crunch situations.

Many might argue Dhoni was a much better skipper because of his calmness on the pitch and knack of winning trophies, but under Kohli’s fiery captaincy, the men in blue won 49 of 68 ODI matches with a staggering 73.88 winning ratio. His fiery and aggressive attitude on the pitch sparks fire in his teammates and since taking over from Dhoni, Indian team has been a reflection of his. Therefore, his red-hot leadership will be pivotal for India as they are looking to bring hometheir third World Cup.

Eoin Morgan, England The Irishman, Eoin Morgan has brought a relief of fresh air in England’s dismal ODI cricket form. He was asserted as English ODI skipper in a slightly chaotic circumstance less than two months before the 2015 World Cup and was less than enamoured with an entirely inadequate campaign.
In the 2015 World Cup, they were appalling. Anyone who played in that tournament will accept that. 

They were bowled out by Bangladesh in an embarrassing defeat at Adelaide. After that debacle, they brought in a new breed of cricketers, the likes of Johnny Bairstow and Ben stokes were regular starters. A lot of the credit has to go to the Irishman. Everywhere you go in English cricket, they put it down to Eoin Morgan and his positive approach. When he goes out to bat.First or second ball, he’s on the attack. He doesn’t wait for bad deliveries, he makes them. Under his inspiring leadership, hosts England are the hot favourites to win the World Cup in their home soil.

Aaron Finch, Australia With Steve Smith and David Warner banned, Australia needed a new leader to step up and Aaron Finch did so just in time. The comeback series win against India was impressive, but Finch then arrived at centre-stage for the series with Pakistan. He scored 116 and 153* in the first two matches, adding 90, 39 and 53 thereafter.

His big-hitting capabilities were already well-known and the Victorian hit 135 in the opening match of the last World Cup to set Australia on the course for victory. Finch’s form, coupled with David Warner’s return to open the batting with him, means Australia have plenty of cause for optimism.