Arshdeep Singh, ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024

Arshdeep Singh’s meteoric rise in international cricket reached another milestone as he was named the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024. This recognition comes after a stellar year in which he played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph and established himself as one of the premier T20 bowlers in world cricket. Alongside this accolade, Arshdeep was also included in the ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024, a testament to his consistent brilliance.

Dominating T20I Cricket in 2024

Outstanding Record in 2024

Arshdeep Singh was the leading wicket-taker for India in T20 Internationals in 2024, claiming 36 wickets in just 18 matches. His performances were marked by exceptional averages and economy rates:

• Average: 15.31
• Economy rate: 7.49
• Strike rate: 10.80

Bowling predominantly in the powerplay and death overs, Arshdeep proved to be a constant wicket-taking threat, delivering under high-pressure situations.

Among the World’s Best

Globally, only four players managed to take more T20I wickets than Arshdeep in 2024. These included:

• Usman Najeeb (Saudi Arabia): 38 wickets
• Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): 38 wickets
• Junaid Siddique (UAE): 40 wickets
• Ehsan Khan (Hong Kong): 46 wickets

Notably, all four bowlers played more matches than Arshdeep. Among them, only Hasaranga represented a full-member nation, emphasizing the quality of Arshdeep’s achievements.

Key Contributions to India’s T20 World Cup Triumph

Stepping Up as a Leader

Following India’s decision to rebuild their T20 squad after their World Cup triumph in the Caribbean, Arshdeep emerged as the leader of the pace attack. His ability to deliver in crucial moments helped steer India to their second consecutive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.

Memorable Group Stage Performance

One of Arshdeep’s standout performances came during the group stage of the T20 World Cup against the USA in New York. He produced sensational bowling figures of 4/9 in four overs, dismantling the opposition and demonstrating his ability to dominate any batting lineup.

Heroics in the T20 World Cup Final

The defining moment of Arshdeep’s year came in the World Cup Final against South Africa in Barbados. Defending a competitive total of 176, Arshdeep played a crucial role in ensuring India emerged victorious by seven runs.

Key Moments in the Final:

• Early Breakthrough: Arshdeep struck in the third over of the match, dismissing the dangerous South African skipper Aiden Markram, caught behind in the powerplay.
• Middle Overs Impact: With South Africa gaining momentum, Arshdeep dismissed a well-set Quinton de Kock, shifting the game back in India’s favor.
• Death Overs Brilliance: Returning to bowl the penultimate over, Arshdeep conceded just four runs, leaving Hardik Pandya with 16 runs to defend in the final over. This near-perfect death over under immense pressure was instrumental in India’s win.

Arshdeep’s final figures of 2/20 in four overs highlight his immense contribution, but the impact he had on the game goes beyond numbers.

Breaking Down Arshdeep’s Bowling Excellence

Powerplay Dominance

Arshdeep’s ability to swing the ball both ways with control made him a lethal weapon in the powerplay. His knack for striking early helped India seize the momentum in key matches.

Middle-Overs Impact

As a bowler capable of adapting to different phases of the game, Arshdeep’s breakthroughs in the middle overs often turned the tide in India’s favor. His dismissal of Quinton de Kock in the World Cup final was a prime example of his match-winning capabilities.

Death Overs Mastery

Bowling at the death is one of the toughest tasks in T20 cricket, but Arshdeep excelled in this role. With his variations, including pinpoint yorkers and deceptive slower balls, he consistently delivered under pressure, as seen in his penultimate over in the World Cup final.