Road to Glory: Sachin, Rohit, and Now Virat? The Quest for Golden Bat Continues in World Cup 2023

Dubai, 18th November 2023: In a highly anticipated finale, the World Cup 2023 is set to culminate with a clash between cricket giants India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Sunday. With both teams in stellar form, this encounter marks the first time in two decades that they will face off in the finals, heightening the excitement among cricket enthusiasts.

As fans eagerly await the grand showdown, the winning team is set to receive a substantial prize of Rs 40 lakh from the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, individual players also have their eyes on prestigious awards, such as the Golden Bat, awarded to the top run-scorer of the tournament. Leading the race for this coveted accolade is none other than Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

India has a rich history in the ICC ODI World Cup when it comes to claiming the Golden Bat. Cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who secured the award twice, and Rohit Sharma, the top run-scorer for India in the last World Cup, have left an indelible mark. Let’s delve into the list of illustrious cricketers who have clinched the Golden Bat throughout the history of the World Cup:

1. 1975 – Glenn Turner (New Zealand)
– Runs: 333
– Country: New Zealand
– Innings: 4
– Strike Rate: 68.51
– Highest Score: 171*

2. 1979 – Gordon Greenidge (West Indies)
– Runs: 253
– Country: West Indies
– Innings: 4
– Strike Rate: 62.31
– Highest Score: 106*

3. 1983 – David Gower (England)
– Runs: 384
– Country: England
– Innings: 7
– Strike Rate: 84.95
– Highest Score: 130

4. 1987 – Graham Gooch (England)
– Runs: 471
– Country: England
– Innings: 8
– Strike Rate: 70.29
– Highest Score: 115

5. 1992 – Martin Crowe (New Zealand)
– Runs: 456
– Country: New Zealand
– Innings: 9
– Strike Rate: 90.83
– Highest Score: 100

6. 1996 – Sachin Tendulkar (India)
– Runs: 523
– Country: India
– Innings: 7
– Strike Rate: 85.85
– Highest Score: 137

7. 1999 – Rahul Dravid (India)
– Runs: 461
– Country: India
– Innings: 8
– Strike Rate: 85
– Highest Score: 145

8. 2003 – Sachin Tendulkar (India)
– Runs: 673
– Country: India
– Innings: 11
– Strike Rate: 89
– Highest Score: 152

9. 2007 – Matthew Hayden (Australia)
– Runs: 659
– Country: Australia
– Innings: 10
– Strike Rate: 101
– Highest Score: 158

10. 2011 – Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
– Runs: 500
– Country: Sri Lanka
– Innings: 9
– Strike Rate: 90
– Highest Score: 144

11. 2015 – Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
– Runs: 547
– Country: New Zealand
– Innings: 9
– Strike Rate: 104
– Highest Score: 234*

12. 2019 – Rohit Sharma (India)
– Runs: 648
– Country: India
– Innings: 9
– Strike Rate: 98
– Highest Score: 140

As the World Cup final looms large, all eyes are on Virat Kohli and whether he can etch his name alongside these cricketing legends in the annals of World Cup history by claiming the prestigious Golden Bat.