2024 saw some of the most competitive and captivating cricket being played, with new rivalries developing and old ones continuing to thrive with renewed intensity. While some greats of the game retired, a new generation slowly took shape.
This year marked a historic achievement for India as they ended an 11-year-long ICC title drought and secured the T20 World Cup title.England, New Zealand, and Australia also registered important wins throughout the year.
Joe Root (England): Root was in monstrous form in Tests, leading the run charts with 1,556 runs at an average of 55.57 and a strike rate of over 63 in 17 matches, with six centuries and five fifties in 31 innings. He became England’s highest century-maker and Test run-scorer, surpassing Alastair Cook. He also became the first England player to cross the 20,000 run mark in international cricket and is chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most Test runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India):Jaiswal had a stellar 2024, scoring 1,478 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 54.74, including three centuries (two double tons) and 11 fifties in 29 innings. His two double centuries against England stood out, and his adaptation to Australian conditions was equally impressive. His tally of 1,771 runs across all formats made him one of the year’s top scorers.
Jasprit Bumrah (India):Bumrah was the standout bowler of the year, taking 86 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 13.76. He was the leading wicket-taker in international cricket, with notable performances against England, the T20 World Cup, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Travis Head (Australia): Head was Australia’s top run-getter of 2024, scoring 1,399 runs in 29 matches. He made his mark in all formats, including a standout performance in T20Is, where he became the top-ranked T20I batter and third-highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup.
Ravindra Jadeja (India): Jadeja continued to shine as an all-rounder, making vital contributions with both bat and ball. He scored 527 runs at an average of 29.27 in 12 Tests, including a century, and took 48 wickets at an average of 24.29, with three five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match. His all-around brilliance made him one of the top performers of the year.
Gus Atkinson (England): Atkinson had a breakthrough year, impressing in both Tests and white-ball cricket. He took 52 wickets in 11 Tests, including three five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket match. His performances were highlighted by a remarkable debut at Lord’s, where he claimed two five-wicket hauls and scored a century, making him the fastest player to achieve multiple milestones in Tests.
Matt Henry (New Zealand): Henry was New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 48 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 18.58. His standout performance came against India, where he took 5/15 to dismiss them for just 46. He finished the year with 59 wickets in 16 matches, including T20Is, cementing his place as one of the top pacers of 2024.
Arshdeep Singh (India):Arshdeep was exceptional in the T20I format, finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker with 36 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 13.50. His impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he claimed 17 wickets at an average of 12.64, was crucial to India’s success in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer (India): Despite a challenging year with the BCCI, Iyer ended 2024 on a high note, winning four major trophies with Mumbai and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He scored 1,841 runs in 44 matches across all formats, with four centuries and seven fifties. Iyer was instrumental as a captain with KKR and secured a lucrative deal with Punjab Kings for IPL 2025.
