Rohit Sharma appointed captain of ICC T20 Team of the Year, Virat Kohli overlooked
Xtra Time Web Desk: Rohit Sharma has been appointed captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for 2024, following his leadership in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign. The squad, announced on January 25, also features three other Indians: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. Pakistan's Babar Azam makes the cut, while Virat Kohli, despite his match-winning performance in the final, and World No. 1 Suryakumar Yadav, both miss out.
India's dominance in the lineup
India’s dominance in the squad reflects their triumph in the T20 World Cup, which ended an 11-year wait for an ICC men's cricket title. The pace-bowling unit comprises Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Hardik, who were instrumental in India’s World Cup success. The spin department includes Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza is the lone all-rounder.
Read More: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Harbhajan Singh lashes out! Shocking exclusions of two star players revealed
Team Composition
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Australia’s Travis Head
No. 3: England’s Phil Salt
No. 4: Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Wicketkeeper: Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Rohit Sharma’s stellar year
Rohit’s leadership and stellar batting in the T20 World Cup earned him the captaincy role. He scored 378 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of over 160, including three half-centuries and a blistering 92 against Australia.
From a star-studded list of four, the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024 has been crowned ????
— ICC (@ICC) January 25, 2025
Find out the winner ➡️ https://t.co/HDWo0YSSG9 pic.twitter.com/LK6AKRqias
Read More: IND vs ENG: Mohammad Shami sidelined again! Is recovery still a concern?
Bowling excellence
Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah were standout performers, with Arshdeep claiming 36 wickets in 18 matches. Hardik Pandya, who contributed with both bat and ball, sealed India’s victory in the World Cup final with a crucial last-over performance, defending 16 runs against South Africa.
ICC T20I Men's Team of the Year 2024
Rohit Sharma (captain), Travis Head, Phil Salt, Babar Azam, Nicholas Pooran (wicketkeeper), Sikandar Raza, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.