Cricadium’s T20 World Cup 2024 Best Team of the Tournament

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed exceptional performances from a multitude of players. To honour these outstanding contributions, Cricadium has curated the ‘T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament’. This elite XI features a blend of power-hitting batsmen, wily spinners, and searing pace bowlers who left their mark on the global stage.

1. Rohit Sharma (India) – Captain

Runs: 257, Average: 36.71, Strike-rate: 156.7, Fifties: 3

Leading India to a historic T20 World Cup victory after 17 years, Rohit Sharma, the skipper, embodied aggressive batting at the top of the order. He amassed 257 runs at a staggering strike rate of 156.7, showcasing his dominance with three crucial fifties. Sharma’s captaincy acumen also deserves recognition, as he steered the team through challenging moments to ultimate glory.

2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – Wicketkeeper

Runs: 281, Average: 35.12, Strike-rate: 124.33, Fifties: 3

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, formed a formidable opening partnership with Ibrahim Zadran. Together, they amassed 446 runs, including three century stands. Gurbaz’s individual brilliance shone with knocks against Uganda (76), New Zealand (80), and Australia (60). He finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, a testament to his consistent power-hitting at the top.

3. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)

Runs: 228, Average: 38.0, Strike-rate: 146.15, Fifties: 1

Nicholas Pooran solidified his reputation as a T20 batting maestro. Despite a high-risk approach, he slammed 228 runs at a strike rate of 146.15, the highest amongst West Indies batsmen. His match-winning knock of 98 against Afghanistan, the highest individual score of the tournament, epitomized his fearless batting style.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (India)

Runs: 199, Average: 28.42, Strike-rate: 135.37, Fifties: 2

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s middle-order mainstay, displayed his versatility throughout the tournament. He notched two fifties and a crucial 47 in the semi-final against England. Yadav’s ability to adapt to challenging batting conditions and his spectacular catch to dismiss David Miller in the final were significant contributions to India’s title run. More than that, he was the best ‘Number 4’ batter in the tournament, scoring 199 runs at a strike rate of 135. 

5. Marcus Stoinis (Australia)

Runs: 169, Strike-rate: 164.07, Wickets: 10, Economy: 8.88

Australia’s Marcus Stoinis emerged as the team’s x-factor player. His all-around prowess was on display with impactful knocks against Oman and Scotland. In the match against Oman, Stoinis shone with both bat and ball, scoring a vital 34* and taking 3/19. Despite Australia’s exit before the semi-finals, Stoinis’ ability to deliver under pressure makes him a deserving member of this elite XI.

6. Hardik Pandya (India)

Runs: 144, Strike-rate: 151.57, Wickets: 11, Economy: 7.64

Hardik Pandya’s cameos down the order and timely bowling breakthroughs proved invaluable for India. His most significant contribution came in the final, where he deceived Heinrich Klaasen with a slower ball and delivered a phenomenal final over to secure India’s victory. Leading up to the final, Pandya provided consistent support with the bat, scoring over 20 runs in four consecutive matches, including a well-made fifty against Bangladesh.

7. Axar Patel (India)

Runs: 92, Strike-rate: 139.39, Wickets: 9, Economy: 7.86

Axar Patel’s adaptability and impactful contributions throughout the tournament make him a vital cog in this team. His handy cameos with the bat, including a crucial 47 in the final that allowed Virat Kohli to play the anchor role, showcased his batting prowess. Axar’s ability to take wickets and bowl economically makes him a valuable bowling asset as well. His Player of the Match performance in the semi-final against England, where he claimed 3/23, further highlights his all-round talent.

8. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Wickets: 14, Average: 12.78, Economy: 6.17, Best: 4/17

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s leading spinner and captain, played a pivotal role in their historic journey to the semi-finals. He finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker, claiming 14 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 6.17. Khan’s clutch performances, including a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh that secured their semi-final berth, cemented his place in this prestigious team.

9. Jasprit Bumrah (India) – Player of the Tournament

Wickets: 15, Average: 8.26, Economy: 4.17, Best: 3/7

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s trump card and the Player of the Tournament, was a force to be reckoned with. His 15 wickets were impressive, but it was his ability to restrict the opposition’s scoring rate that truly set him apart. Bumrah’s economy rate of 4.17 is the best ever recorded by a bowler in a single edition of the men’s T20 World Cup, highlighting his exceptional control and accuracy.

10. Arshdeep Singh (India)

Wickets: 17, Average: 12.64, Economy: 7.16, Best: 4/9

Arshdeep Singh’s fiery pace bowling throughout the tournament earned him a well-deserved spot in this elite XI. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets in just eight matches. Singh’s ability to exploit the powerplay with his early breakthroughs perfectly complemented Jasprit Bumrah’s death-bowling prowess. In the final, Arshdeep played a crucial role by dismissing Quinton de Kock at a critical juncture and then conceding only four runs in a tight penultimate over.

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)

Wickets: 17, Average: 9.41, Economy: 6.31, Best: 5/9

The joint leading wicket-taker of the tournament, Fazalhaq Farooqi, was instrumental in Afghanistan’s dream run to the semi-finals. His 17 wickets came at a brilliant economy rate of 6.31. Farooqi’s left-arm quick bowling provided early inroads, putting the opposition on the back foot in several matches. His spell of 5/9 against Uganda stands out as the best bowling performance of the tournament, and his four-wicket haul against New Zealand was equally crucial in their group-stage progression.

12th Man: Anrich Nortje (South Africa)

Wickets: 15, Average: 13.4, Economy: 5.74, Best: 4/7

Anrich Nortje’s fiery pace and bounce throughout the tournament troubled batters and earned him a place as the 12th man in this prestigious team. He began the tournament with a bang, taking four wickets for just seven runs against Sri Lanka. Nortje maintained his wicket-taking consistency throughout, claiming at least one wicket in all but one match. In the final, he emerged as South Africa’s most impactful bowler, taking two wickets for 26 runs in his four overs.

Honourable Mention: Kuldeep Yadav (India)

Wickets: 10, Average: 13.90, Economy: 6.95, Best 3/19

While his statistics may not be the most eye-catching, Kuldeep Yadav’s contribution to India’s title run cannot be understated. He emerged as a crucial wicket-taking option in the middle overs, proving to be captain Rohit Sharma’s go-to bowler whenever a breakthrough was needed. Yadav’s 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.95 showcase his ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets during the middle phase of an innings.

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