Wanindu included in ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year

The ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year recognises the best of the best who impressed the world with their match-winning performances and made 2024 a memorable year in the shortest format.

Here’s a look at the 11 players who excelled in T20 International cricket last year.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

20 Matches, 179 Runs, 67 Highest Score, 38 Wickets, 4/15 Best Figures

Wanindu Hasaranga enjoyed another exceptional year in T20 cricket, establishing himself as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable players, helping him to third position in the bowling category and sixth place in all-rounders in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings.

His ability to bowl economically in the powerplay and strike in the middle overs made him a captain’s go-to bowler, whenever Sri Lanka needed a breakthrough.

Rohit Sharma (India)

11 Matches, 378 Runs, 121 Highest Score, 42.00 Average, 160.16 Strike Rate, One Hundred*

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

The experienced opener showcased his batting mastery, amassing 378 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 42.00, and vitally at a strike rate of over 160.

Rohit had a standout T20 World Cup, making three half centuries, including an explosive 92 against Australia in the Super Eight stage.

Beyond his batting exploits, Rohit’s astute leadership played a critical role in guiding a young Indian side through pressure-filled moments and his leadership ensured that year would be a memorable one for his country.

Travis Head (Australia)

15 Matches, 539 Runs, 80 Highest Score, 38.50 Average, 178.47 Strike Rate, Four Half-centuries

Making his tally at a strike rate of nearly 180, Head’s aggressive intent in the powerplay was the backbone of Australia’s T20I batting order in 2024, delivering on multiple occasions at the top of the order.

His four half-centuries, including a scintillating 80 against Scotland, showcased his ability to dominate quality bowling attacks and his adaptability across different conditions and his ability to counter both pace and spin made him a standout performer.

Although Australia fell short in the T20 World Cup, Head stood out with his exploits, including putting on a show against India that almost dragged them home.

His work earned his name as the premier ranked batter in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings and is a nominee for the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year.

Phil Salt (England)

17 Matches, 467 Runs, 103 Highest Score, 38.91 Average, 164.43 Strike Rate, One Hundred*

Salt’s dynamic batting was a key asset for England in 2024, as he established himself as a vital component of their T20I lineup, placing him as the No.2 ranked batter in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings.

With 467 runs in 17 matches, Salt consistently provided explosive starts, allowing England to dictate terms early in their innings, and his fearless approach, coupled with his ability to accelerate at will, made him a nightmare in the shortest format.

The right-hand batter’s best came against the West Indies, smashing an unbeaten 87 at the T20 World Cup and he later went on to register a blistering 103* in the bilateral series against them in November.

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

24 Matches, 738 Runs, 75 Highest Score, 33.54 Average, Six Half-Centuries

Renowned for his elegant stroke play and unmatched consistency, Babar Azam again anchored Pakistan’s innings time and again, ensuring stability in a dynamic batting lineup.

The right-hand batter started off his year in sizzling fashion, notching up three half-centuries on the trot against New Zealand away from home.

The 30-year-old’s ability to perform under pressure and his consistency across formats reaffirmed his status as one of the finest players in international cricket, placing him sixth on the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings for batters.

Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)

21 Matches, 464 Runs, 98 Highest Score, 25.77 Average, 142.33 Strike Rate, Two Half-Centuries

Nicholas Pooran had a noteworthy 2024, showcasing his aggressive batting and steady wicket-keeping skills for the West Indies, accumulating 464 runs in 21 matches.

Pooran often played the role of a finisher, guiding his team through tricky situations and his ability to accelerate in the middle overs and finish innings strongly made him a critical asset for the West Indies.

His standout performance came against Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup, where his blistering 98 off 53 dictated the tone for a big win.

Pooran’s impact extended beyond runs and catches - his presence added much-needed experience and class to a young West Indies squad looking to rebuild in the shortest format.

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

24 Matches, 573 Runs, 133 Highest Score, 146.54 Strike Rate, 24 Wickets, 5/18 Best Figures*

Sikandar Raza continued to be Zimbabwe’s talisman in 2024, excelling as both a batsman and bowler.

Raza’s breathtaking 133* off 43 helped Zimbabwe post the highest-ever T20I total against Gambia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier clash.

Raza not only flared with the bat, but also sizzled with the ball as well that helped him end the year at seventh position in the ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings.

Hardik Pandya (India)

17 Matches, 352 Runs, 50 Highest Score, 16 Wickets, 3/20 Best Figures*

Hardik Pandya reaffirmed his status as the best all-rounder in the shortest format with a stellar 2024, putting him back atop the ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings.

Scoring 352 runs and picking up 16 wickets in 17 matches, Pandya’s contributions were crucial in a successful year for India that saw them crowned champions of the world in the 20-over format.

The 31-year-old had an impeccable campaign in the USA and West Indies, where he notched up 144 runs with the bat, in addition to grabbing 11 wickets, including bowling India to victory by defending 16 off the final over against the Proteas in the final.

The game also saw him shine with his best figures of 3/20 in 2024.

The all-rounder’s best with the bat came against Bangladesh in their group-stage fixture, against whom he scored an unbeaten 50.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

14 Matches, 31 Wickets, 4/14 Best Figures, 9.58 Average, Four 4-Wicket Hauls

Rashid Khan was again excellent in 2024, leading Afghanistan’s bowling attack, claiming 31 wickets in just 14 matches, boasting an incredible average of 9.58.

Rashid’s ability to consistently trouble any batter in the world was evident in his performances, particularly in the T20 World Cup, where he struck 14 times in eight games, as Afghanistan made their way into the last four for the first time ever.

A master of variation, Rashid was pivotal in Afghanistan’s success against stronger teams, often turning games with his incisive spells.

His consistency and match-winning ability cements his position as on of the leading all-rounders in the shortest format.

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

8 Matches, 15 Wickets, 3/7 Best Figures, 8.26 Average

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.

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

Beyond the World Cup, Bumrah’s consistency across formats reaffirmed his position as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket.

Bumrah’s work also means he is in the running as a nominee for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

Arshdeep Singh (India)

18 Matches, 36 Wickets, 4/9 Best Figures, 13.50 Average

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, and ranking him as the eighth-best T20I bowler in the world.

His standout performance came in the T20 World Cup, finishing with the second-most wickets in the tournament with 17 scalps from eight games.

Known for his accuracy and composure, Arshdeep excelled in the death overs, often turning games in India’s favor, and his ability to swing the ball early and execute pin-point yorkers at the end made him a complete package in T20 cricket.

His best with the ball came against hosts USA in the T20 World Cup, where he dismantled them with a fiery 4/9 spell.

Arshdeep’s rise in 2024 earned him widespread recognition, including a nomination for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.

--ICC