ICC unveils Men's T20I Player of the Year shortlist: Bumrah left out, young Indian nominated!
Xtra Time Web Desk: Arshdeep Singh, Sikandar Raza, Babar Azam and Travis Head have been shortlisted as the four nominees for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer Of The Year award on Sunday. Young Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has earned a prestigious nomination for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award, as the International Cricket Council released the list of nominees on Sunday, December 29. Arshdeep shone brightly in 2024, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the T20 World Cup with 17 wickets from eight matches at an average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 7.16.
The left-arm seamer also topped the wicket-takers' chart for the year among Test-playing nations, claiming 36 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 13.50 and an economy of 7.49. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a standout performer for India.
However, Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2024, surprisingly missed out on the nominations. Bumrah took 15 wickets in the tournament, with a stunning average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17. Despite his incredible performance, the ICC opted to recognize other stars for the award.
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Arshdeep Singh (India)
Matches: 18, Wickets: 36, Average: 13.5, BBI: 4/9
With all-format bowling genius Jasprit Bumrah a selective pick for T20Is given important assignments in Tests and ODIs over the last few years, Arshdeep Singh has taken to and aced in the role of India’s primary pacer in the T20I format.
His 36 scalps over the years were the second-best by an India player in Men’s T20Is just one behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 37 wickets in 2022. The seamer has filled in the much-needed left-arm pacer void in the shortest format for the Team in Blue.
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
Matches: 24, 573 runs, Average: 28.65, Highest score: 133*
Wickets: 24, Average: 22.25, BBI: 5/18
The all-rounder turned captain continues to deliver for the Chevrons in his 39th year, and was instrumental in their unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa Qualifier Group B, smashing 199 runs and picking up 10 wickets.
While Zimbabwe’s T20I side remains a work in progress, the African side managed to secure wins over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan under his leadership this year.
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Matches: 24, 738 runs, Average: 33.54, Highest Score: 75*
Despite a mixed year, no other Pakistan batter scored as many T20I runs as Babar Azam in the last 12 months.
With six fifties and close to a hundred boundaries, Babar was Pakistan’s mainstay and the year saw an improvement in his strike rate, with the batter clocking 133.21 runs every 100 deliveries.
Still only 30, Babar is primed to break Rohit Sharma’s record as the highest run-getter in T20I cricket soon, sitting just eight behind the Indian’s mark of 4231 runs.
Travis Head (Australia)
Matches: 15, 539 runs, Average: 38.5, Highest Score: 80
Getting his first regular run in the line-up since making his debut in 2016, Travis Head showed Australia his range as a T20I batter in 2024. His 539 runs are the second-best ever for an Australian in a calendar year and came at a strike rate of 178.47.
Impressing in explosive cameos against New Zealand as an opener at the start of the year, Head showed his full range of shots in the Indian Premier League and carried that form into the T20 World Cup 2024.
He was the third-highest run-getter with 255 runs, taking off at a strike rate of 158.38. It took India’s very best to stop Head from leading Australia towards another ICC tournament knockout place, but the southpaw still managed to smash his way to 76 off 43.
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Fans Can Vote for Their Favorites
The ICC has opened voting on its official website, allowing fans worldwide to cast their votes for their favorite players and decide the winner of the prestigious award. The nominations reflect a mix of incredible performances across the year, making the competition fierce and exciting.
Fans will now eagerly await the final results, which will recognize the best T20I performer of 2024.
