Arshdeep Singh, India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is in 2024, was awarded the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year at the ICC Awards on Saturday. The left-arm pacer has well and truly cemented his position as one of the best death bowlers in world cricket, playing a crucial role in India’s win at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and USA.
Arshdeep’s Performance in 2024
The 25-year-old pacer took 36 wickets in just 18 T20I matches in 2024, making him India’s top wicket-taker in the format. Arshdeep, who mostly bowled in the powerplay and death overs, maintained an impressive economy rate of 7.49 and a strike rate of 10.80. His consistency and ability to take wickets at crucial moments earned him global recognition.
Key Contributions to India’s T20 World Cup Victory
Arshdeep’s best performance was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he played a crucial role in India’s first major ICC trophy win in years. His outstanding performance against the USA in the group stage, where he took 4 wickets for just 9 runs, was one of the highlights of the tournament.
Arshdeep again turned out to be a performer for India when he helped his team defend their total of 176 against South Africa in the final of the World Cup. He took 2 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs. Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock were dismissed in the last few overs when South Africa required 20 runs off 12 balls, and this made his almost flawless death over one that won him the match. This set up Hardik Pandya to defend the remaining runs in the final over, clinching the title for India.
Arshdeep’s Impact in 2024
In 2024, a hallmark of Arshdeep’s game was the ability to perform under pressure in high-pressure situations, particularly in the powerplay and death overs. Consistency and picking wickets at regular intervals meant India had a good base for building towards wins during the entire course of the year. The same player also earned a spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, featuring along with some other Indian superstars such as Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Comparison with Global Peers
Arshdeep in 2024 performed against the best of the world in cricket. Only four bowlers took more wickets in T20Is during the year, but they all played more matches. He surpassed several high-profile bowlers as well and finished the year with one of the best strike rates and economy rates in the game.
Arshdeep Singh’s meteoric rise in T20I cricket has finally seen him receive the recognition of the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024. His match-winning performances, especially during the T20 World Cup, and his role in India’s success have cemented his place as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket today.
