In 2024, the cricketing landscape had its share of evocative moments and believe-it-or-not performances. So, what were some of the memorable moments from the year gone by? Who were the best performers of the year? What about the politics behind the scenes? On New Year’s Day, here’s a recap of all the events:
Men’s Cricketer of the Year:
This is perhaps one of the easier questions to answer as Jasprit Bumrah is the clear winner here. The Indian fast bowler took 74 Test wickets at an astounding average of 14.92. In the ongoing Test series in Australia, Bumrah has done some heavy lifting, plucking 30 wickets at a splendid average of less than 13. In a nutshell, he has taken almost half of the wickets plucked by the Indian bowlers in the series so far.
Earlier in the year, Bumrah outfoxed England, in the Vizag Test, with his variations. He had virtually turned into a spinner in that game. It was also Bumrah’s magical spell which helped India win their first ICC tournament since 2013. In the T20 World Cup final, South Africa needed just 30 off 30 deliveries, with Heinrich Klaasen still at the crease. However, with a mixture of contrasting swing, pace and variations, Bumrah changed the fortunes of the game, with India sealing the title.
Travis Head and Joe Root are also worthy mentions.
Women’s Cricket of the Year:
In terms of sheer impact, it would be Amelia Kerr of New Zealand. The all-rounder wasn’t just the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup with 15 scalps but also made a massive impact in the semifinal and final. In the summit clash against South Africa, she composed a vital hand of 43 and also bagged the key wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. In the last-four game versus the West Indies, she snaffled a couple of wickets at a noteworthy economy rate of under four. Meile Kerr was rightly adjudged the player of the tournament as well.
Chamari Athapaththu, Annabel Sutherland, Laura Wolvaardt and the consistent Smriti Mandhana could be some other contenders.
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Test cricket and its thrilling moments:
2024 will be remembered for the topsy-turvy nature of the sport, especially in the longest format. Bangladesh came from behind a couple of times to seal a historic Test series in Pakistan. Despite scoring over 550 runs, Pakistan were beaten by an innings and 47 runs in the Multan Test by England. Pakistan, then, mounted a spirited comeback to end their barren run and win the series 2-1.
England themselves emerged victorious over a Test series in New Zealand, after 16 years. Meanwhile, Australia usurped New Zealand 2-0, with the highlight being the nail-biting win in Christchurch. Australia also currently hold a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
New Zealand’s 3-0 series win in India, though, would be counted upon as the mother of all upsets. The rank outsiders whitewashed a team that hadn’t lost a single Test series at home since 2012-13. And also became the first Test side to clean-sweep India 3-0 in a Test series, in the home team’s own backyard. Just to put that mind-numbing achievement into perspective, New Zealand hadn’t won a single Test in India since triumphing at the Wankhede, in 1988-89. From 1990 to 2023, India had also lost only three Test rubbers at home.
India, the powerhouse of cricket, had a difficult year in the longest format, losing 0-3 at home to New Zealand. And that was followed by a couple of reversals in Australia. However, India can still retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy by winning the final Test at the SCG. Meanwhile, South Africa rubber-stamped their place in the World Test Championship final with a nail-chewing two-wicket victory over Pakistan. Kagiso Rabada, who is renowned for his exploits with the ball, played a crucial knock with the willow in hand.
The IPL moments:
We also have to talk a little bit about the Indian Premier League. The mega event had enough thrill-a-minute matches. The frenzied atmosphere for the important game between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru was a sight to behold. When Yash Dayal dismissed MS Dhoni to more or less seal the game, there was a deafening noise around the stadium. RCB won that cliffhanger, and their fans celebrated the moment right through the night. Ultimately, Kolkata Knight Riders’ players went on to lift the glittering trophy, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.
Retirements:
The world of cricket also witnessed the retirements of some greats of the sport. James Anderson, who has 704 wickets to his name in Test cricket, played his final game for England, against the West Indies, at Lord’s. It was the same venue where he had made his Test debut, taking a five-for versus Zimbabwe, in 2003.
The swing-king hogged the limelight all those years ago when he dismissed Mohammad Yousuf with the outswinging yorker in the 2003 World Cup. Fittingly, his last wicket in internationals turned out to be a quintessential Anderson delivery – slanting in and then for it to swing away late to dislodge Joshua da Silva.
R Ashwin, another wonderful cricketer and a World Cup winner, also announced his retirement from international cricket after the Gabba Test against Australia. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a guard of honour as he wasn’t picked for the Gabba Test. David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Tim Southee and Dinesh Karthik also drew curtains on their respective fine careers.
Behind the scenes:
There was some politics behind the scenes too. The ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan this year, came under scrutiny as India decided not to travel to that country, citing their government’s advice. After a slew of meetings and deliberations, it was decided that India’s matches, including the fixture against Pakistan, would be held in the UAE. The decision also meant that the ground for the summit clash on March 9 will change from Lahore to Dubai if India qualify.
So, as we step into 2025, here’s wishing everyone a Happy New Year. May the cricketing world continue to burgeon with more spellbinding performances and matches that leave the fans on the edge of their seats. And a little less of politics behind the scenes.
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