The International Cricket Council (ICC) on June 30 announced the T20 World Cup 2024 team of the tournament. As many as six Indian players made it into the team of the tournament. As expected, Rohit Sharma is leading the team. No player from semifinalists England made the cut whereas runner-ups’ Anrich Nortje was named 12th man.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit was in fine form in the tournament and played the selfless brand of cricket he talks about. His 41-ball 92 against Australia stood out of the lot. He scored 257 runs at an average of 36.71 including three half-centuries. His strike rate despite bowling-friendly conditions was 156.7. He decided from T20Is after India won their second T20 World Cup title. Meanwhile, his opening partner who scored a match-winning 76 in the final did not find a place in the team of the tournament.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz was one of the main reasons why the team made it to their first-ever World Cup semifinal. He finished as the top run-scorer of the tournament with 281 runs at an average of 35.12 including three half-centuries. When his team needed him the most, he scored half-centuries against big teams Australia and New Zealand.
Nicholas Pooran
Co-hosts West Indies' big-hitting powerhouse Pooran scored 228 runs at an average of 38 and strike rate 146.15. His best of 98 came against Afghanistan as West Indies beat them comprehensively.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav was handy with the bat but his biggest contribution came in the final with a sensational catch on the boundary in the final over to dismiss David Miller. Suryakumar scored 199 runs at an average of 28.42 and strike rate of 135.37. He scored two fifties but the 47-run knock in the semifinal against England was crucial.
Marcus Stoinis
Australia's 'hulk' played the perfect role of an all-rounder. He scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 164.07. His half-century against Scotland saved Australia from embarrassment. He took 10 wickets even though he was slightly expensive with an economy rate of 8.88 runs per over. He is the Australian player in the team of the tournament as the champions of 2021 edition did not make it to the semifinals.
Hardik Pandya
The all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not in the best of forms coming into the tournament. But he became the X-factor India needed. The pacer stopped Heinrich Klaasen from taking the game away from India in the final and started a chain reaction helping India beat the Proteas by seven runs. He scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57. He bagged 11 wickets for the team playing the perfect role of an all-rounder.
Axar Patel
Another Indian all-rounder who turned out to be a complete package, Axar Patel was exceptional in the field taking spectacular catches. He contributed with cameos here and there but his best knock with the bat came in the final after India lost three wickets early. His 47-run knock eased the pressure off Virat Kohli who went on to score 46. With the ball, he bagged three wickets against England in the semifinal. The southpaw scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 139.39 and bagged nine wickets in the tournament.
Rashid Khan
Leg-spinner Rashid led from the front. With a relentless spell, he caused a Bangladesh batting collapse in the must-win game to ensure Afghanistan reach semifinal for the first time. He contributed with cameos as well lower down the order. He bagged 14 wickets at an average of 12.78 including a four-fer against New Zealand.
Jasprit Bumrah
India's pace-bowling spearhead was named the Player of the tournament. Jasprit Bumrah delivered for India like noone could in the history of T20 World Cups. He bagged 15 wickets at an average of 8.26. He made T20Is look like the ODIs of 1990s with an economy rate of 4.17 runs per over.
Arshdeep Singh
While Bumrah kept the batters quiet, Arshdeep Singh reaped the benefits. He finished with 17 wickets at an average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 7.16 runs per over. In the final, he stopped a rampant Quinton de Kock in the middle overs. He was also the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Another left-arm pacer in the list is Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi. He bagged 17 wickets as well. He destroyed batting lineups with the new ball swinging both ways. His economy rate was just 6.31 runs per over. While he bagged five wickets for nine runs against minnows Uganda, his best spell was against the Kiwis when he registered a four-wicket haul.
Anrich Nortje
Nortje used the bowling-friendly conditions in the Americas well to help his team win low-scoring encounters. He was deadly in the middle overs. Nortje bagged 15 wickets at an average of 5.74. His economy rate was 5.74 runs per over. In the final, while other bowlers were expensive, he conceded 26 runs and got two wickets as well.
ICC’s T20 World Cup 2024 team of the tournament
Rohit Sharma (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Suryakumar Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Fazalhaq Farooqi, (12th man) Anrich Nortje
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