Samson in, Kohli out of OC's T20I team of the year [Source: @kaustats, @indiantweetrian/X]
After witnessing a rigorous and hectic cricketing calendar, we are all set to bid farewell to the year 2024. The year saw some remarkable performances from cricketers all around the world. Some mighty legends of the game experienced a downfall, while some young guns made their mark at the highest level through a string of prolific outings.
Regarding the T20I format, India re-established themselves as a superpower, emerging triumphant in the World Cup. Apart from India's T20 superstars, there were several international players who were outstanding in the shortest format. So, as 2024 marks its conclusion, here's OneCricket's T20I team of the year.
Top Order: Rohit Sharma, Travis Head, Jos Buttler
Rohit Sharma
Runs: 378, Average: 42, Strike Rate: 160.16
We have picked India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma as the skipper of our team. Despite struggling in Tests, Rohit enjoyed stellar success in the shortest format, slamming 378 runs at an average of 42 and a blistering strike rate 160.16.
Be it his knock full of vengeance against the mighty Aussies or a classy innings in the semifinal against England, Rohit stepped up as captain and batter, making him an automatic choice in our playing XI.
Travis Head
Runs: 539, Average: 38.50, Strike Rate: 178.47
Australia's swashbuckling batter Travis Head has been chosen as Rohit Sharma's opening partner for his stunning performance in T20Is. He is in the form of his life and his extraordinary numbers make him the perfect pick for the second opening slot.
Jos Buttler
Runs: 462, Average: 42, Strike Rate: 164.41
England's veteran cricketer Jos Buttler had another memorable year in T20Is, amassing 462 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 164.41. Although England couldn't live up to the expectations in T20Is this year, Buttler was a shining light for them, which makes him an integral part of our top order.
Upper Middle Order: Sanju Samson, Tristan Stubbs
Sanju Samson
Runs: 436, Average: 43.6, Strike Rate: 180.16
India's explosive batter Sanju Samson revitalised his T20I career, proving his mettle as a rockstar in the format. He struck a belligerent ton in the Bangladesh home series before slamming two magnificent centuries on South African soil. His incredible returns in T20I format makes him an automatic pick in our XI.
Tristan Stubbs
Runs: 431, Average: 35.91, Strike Rate: 125.65
On the other hand, South Africa's promising batter Tristan Stubbs enters our XI as an upper middle-order batter. His strike rate of 125.65 is slightly misleading, as he had to play consolidating knocks on the sluggish Caribbean decks in the T20 World Cup. The batter's remarkable consistency and ability to shift gears at will make him an asset in T20Is.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya
Runs: 352, Average: 44, Strike Rate:150.42, 16 Wickets
India's experienced cricketer Hardik Pandya showcased his skills as an all-rounder, helping the Men in Blue clinch the T20 World Cup 2024. Pandya was magnificent with bat and ball in T20Is in 2024, scoring 352 runs and scalping 16 wickets.
Axar Patel
Runs: 137, Average: 22.83, Strike Rate: 137, 20 Wickets, Economy: 7.09
Axar Patel, who played a game-changing knock for India in the T20 World Cup final is our spin-bowling all-rounder, courtesy of his magnificent contributions. The southpaw struck 137 T20I runs while picking 20 wickets at a superb economy of 7.09.
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Naveen-ul-Haq
Rashid Khan
Wickets: 31, Average: 9.58, Strike Rate: 10.26, Economy: 5.60
Afghanistan's spin maestro Rashid Khan had a stellar year in T20Is, scalping 31 wickets, including four four-wicket hauls in 14 outings. Rashid bowled tremendous spells against New Zealand, India and Bangladesh, playing a pivotal role in Afghanistan's inaugural semifinal appearance.
Jasprit Bumrah
Wickets: 15, Average: 8.26, Strike Rate: 11.8, Economy: 4.17
Unarguably the greatest bowler of modern generation, Jasprit Bumrah reached unprecedented heights in T20Is this year. The talismanic fast bowler oozed his class in the T20 World Cup, emerging as India's most valuable player with match-winning spells throughout the tournament.
Arshdeep Singh
Wickets: 36, Average: 13.50, Strike Rate: 10.8, Economy: 7.49
India's left-arm fast bowling menace Arshdeep Singh is the most perfect candidate to partner Bumrah with the new ball. Arshdeep was the most successful T20I pacer in 2024 and bagged 17 wickets in eight matches in the T20 World Cup.
Naveen-ul-Haq
Wickets: 32, Average: 15.34, Strike Rate: 12.4, Economy: 7.40
Afghanistan's talented pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was sublime with the ball in T20Is in 2024. He bowled some remarkable spells in the T20 World Cup, scripting the Afghans' historic win over Australia.
OneCricket's T20I Team Of The Year 2024
Rohit Sharma (C)
Travis Head
Jos Buttler
Sanju Samson (WK)
Tristan Stubbs
Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel
Rashid Khan
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Naveen-ul-Haq