Rohit Sharma named captain as ICC announces Men’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024

Rohit led India to T20 World Cup title last year.

Rohit Sharma | GettyThe International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday (January 25) announced the Men’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024. It features some standout players from all departments who shone brightly for their respective teams throughout the calendar year.

The team includes four players from India, with Rohit Sharma being named captain, and one each from Australia, England, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Here is the list of players who have been named in the XI:

Rohit Sharma (India): 2024 will be remembered as a landmark year in Rohit’s illustrious career, as he led India to their first T20 World Cup title in over a decade.

The seasoned opener showcased his batting mastery, amassing 378 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 42 and at a strike rate of over 160.16, including one hundred.

Travis Head (Australia): The swashbuckling southpaw scored 539 runs in 15 T20Is last year. His runs came at an average of 38.50 and strike rate of nearly 180. He delivered on multiple occasions at the top of the order for Australia during the T20 World Cup 2024.

Phil Salt (England): Salt’s dynamic batting was a key asset for England in 2024, as he established himself as a vital component of their T20I lineup. With 467 runs in 17 matches at an average of 38.91 and a strike rate of 164.43, Salt consistently provided explosive starts, allowing England to dictate terms early in their innings.

Babar Azam (Pakistan): Known for his elegant stroke play and unmatched consistency, Babar anchored Pakistan’s innings time and again last year, ensuring stability in a dynamic batting lineup. In 24 matches, the right-hander scored 738 runs at an average of 33.54 with six half-centuries.

Nicholas Pooran (West Indies): The left-hander had a noteworthy 2024, showcasing his aggressive batting and steady wicket-keeping skills for the West Indies, accumulating 464 runs in 21 matches at a strike rate of 142.33.

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): Sikandar Raza continued to be Zimbabwe’s talisman in 2024, excelling as both a batsman and bowler. He amassed 573 runs and claimed 24 wickets from 24 T20Is last year.

Hardik Pandya (India): Hardik Pandya reaffirmed his status as the best all-rounder in the shortest format with a stellar 2024. Scoring 352 runs and picking up 16 wickets in 17 matches, Hardik’s contributions were crucial in a successful year for India that saw them crowned champions of the world in the 20-over format.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Rashid Khan was excellent in 2024, leading Afghanistan’s bowling attack, picking up 31 wickets in just 14 matches, boasting an incredible average of 9.58.

The leg-spinner was particularly impressive in the T20 World Cup, where he took 14 scalps in eight games as Afghanistan made their way into the semi-final for the first time ever.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Wanindu Hasaranga enjoyed another exceptional year in T20Is, establishing himself as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable players. He took 38 wickets in 20 matches last year, with the best figures of 4/15 to his name.

Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah’s return to T20I cricket in 2024 was nothing short of spectacular, as the right-arm speedster’s precise yorkers and death-over mastery were pivotal in India’s title-winning campaign.

Leading India’s pace attack, Bumrah claimed 15 wickets in eight matches at a jaw-dropping average of 8.26, that made him almost unplayable.

Arshdeep Singh (India): Arshdeep Singh was India’s most prolific bowler in 2024, finishing the year with 36 wickets in 18 matches at an impressive average of 13.50. His standout performance came in the T20 World Cup, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 scalps from eight games.

ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year: Rohit Sharma (India), Travis Head (Australia), Phil Salt (England), Babar Azam (Pakistan), Nicholas Pooran (West Indies), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Hardik Pandya (India), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Arshdeep Singh (India)

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 25 Jan, 2025

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