IND vs IRE: Virat Kohli's biggest enemy predicts the Indian legend to become T20 World Cup top run scorer

Australian batter Steve Smith and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith have backed Virat Kohli to be the ICC T20 World Cup 2024's highest run-getter. 

The Indian team is all set to open its T20 World Cup campaign tomorrow with a clash against Ireland at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. This will be India's 3rd shot at an ICC title in less than a year. In 2023, Rohit Sharma's side fell short against Australia in the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup finals. 

In the Cricket World Cup on home soil, Virat Kohli was the one who became the leading run-scorer not just on his side but also in the tournament. He scored more than 700 runs from 10 innings in total but in the finale against the Aussies, he met with another heartbreak. He watched Travis Head secure a 6th World title for the Kangaroos. 

But with a new year, comes a new tournament and a new hope to win and the same will be on Virat Kohli's mind. 

Steve Smith and Graeme Smith agree on Virat Kohli's name as the top scorer 

Virat Kohli will enter the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on the back of yet another individually successful Indian Premier League season last month. He scored a total of 741 runs from 15 innings at his best-ever strike rate in the IPL circuit. Kohli was largely responsible for Bengaluru's late comeback in the tournament which saw them win all of their last 6 league games and qualify for the play-offs. 

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Despite Virat Kohli's best efforts, RCB could not get past the Eliminator stage as they crashed out against Rajasthan Royals. But nonetheless, the only thing that will be on Kohli's mind is the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 - a dream, which is yet to be fulfilled.

It is the competition in which the right-hander is the highest run-scorer but it's quite shocking to believe that he has never won it all. While his and India's title chances remain to be seen, the likes of Steve Smith and Graeme Smith have backed Kohli to be the leading run-scorer of the ongoing edition. 

"My top run-getter for this tournament will be Virat Kohli. He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form and I think he will be the leading run-getter." - Steve Smith told ICC. 

Graeme Smith on the other hand went safe and did not only name Virat Kohli but also named Jos Buttler as the two batters who can score the most runs. 

India preparing for Ireland at high intensity 

India head coach Rahul Dravid, who is on his final assignment, revealed yesterday that the team is preparing hard for their opener against Ireland tomorrow. Dravid claimed that they could not take the Irishmen lightly as they had recently come out on top of Pakistan. Therefore, the Indians are preparing in the same as they would do before facing sides like Australia and Pakistan.