Quinton de Kock’s exceptional performance at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (CWC23) has propelled him ahead of Virat Kohli in the race for the top run-scorer title.
In a thrilling match against Bangladesh in Mumbai on Tuesday, the South African opener showcased his prowess by smashing an impressive 174 runs.
This extraordinary display not only secured his team’s victory but also positioned him as the leading run-scorer in the tournament after five matches.
De Kock’s incredible batting form has been nothing short of outstanding, with this being his third century in just five tournament games. His previous centuries include a remarkable 100 against Sri Lanka and a stellar 109 against Australia earlier this month.
With this latest achievement, de Kock has amassed a total of 407 runs in the tournament, outshining his competitors. The nearest contenders are Kohli, who has scored 354 runs, followed by Rohit Sharma with 311 runs and Mohammad Rizwan with 302 runs.
Additionally, South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen has also made a significant impact, standing as the second-highest run-scorer for the team. Klaasen has accumulated 288 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 150.78, making him the fastest-scoring specialist batter in the tournament.
In a post-match interview following his spectacular 174-run innings, de Kock humbly credited his team’s collective effort for their success. He stated, “I think to be honest I’m a bit more tired than satisfied, but it was a great day out for the guys. I think we all played very well and everyone played their part.”
De Kock also acknowledged Heinrich Klaasen’s outstanding performance, saying, “He has been absolutely amazing. I don’t know what he’s doing, but I need some of that juice that he’s having. He’s just been special, not just for us but everywhere around the world he’s been really special this year. He’s taking it by storm, and I’m very happy for him.”
Before this match, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had dominated the run-scoring charts in the tournament, leading their team to the top of the standings.
Kohli’s consistent batting form, including a score of 95 against New Zealand, demonstrated his exceptional skills as a top-order batsman.
Rohit Sharma also played a pivotal role in contributing to the team’s success with substantial and fast-paced innings in his recent performances.
