Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his top five T20I batters for 2024. He has placed Rohit Sharma, the captain of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team, at the top of the list. Chopra included two players each from India and England, along with one from Australia, in his top five T20I batters for the year.
Aakash Chopra’s Top Five T20I Batters for 2024
Rohit Sharma played a key role in helping India end their ICC trophy drought by leading the team to victory over South Africa in the final. The right-handed batter is the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 257 runs from eight innings. He has an average of 36.71, a strong strike rate of 156.71, and a highest score of 92.
Aakash Chopra set a rule of at least 10 innings when picking his top T20I batters. In a video on his YouTube channel, he ranked Rohit Sharma as his No. 1 T20I batter. Chopra praised Rohit’s strong record and his consistent aggressive style of play, especially in tough World Cup conditions.
“We believe in karma, we believe in Sharma, yes Rohit Sharma. He has played 11 innings and scored 378 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 160. He has scored one century and three half-centuries. The conditions were difficult in the World Cup but he gave a start every time and played aggressively. He is my No. 1 T20I batter for 2024,” Chopra said.
Read More
Sanju Samson’s Stellar Year with Three Centuries
Aakash Chopra ranked England’s Phil Salt as the second-best T20I batter of 2024. Sanju Samson took third place due to his great recent form, having scored three centuries, including two back-to-back ones against Bangladesh and South Africa.
“At No. 2, I have kept Phil Salt. He has batted extremely well. In 17 matches, he has scored 467 runs, which includes a century and two half-centuries, at an average of nearly 39 and a strike rate of 164. He has struck 25 sixes and 44 fours,” he observed.
“At No. 3, Sanju Samson. He has scored three centuries and two were consecutive. He first demolished Bangladesh in Hyderabad and then went and thrashed South Africa and he has played only 13 games and scored 436 runs at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 180,” Chopra elaborated.
Sanju Samson has been in excellent form this year. He scored 111 runs off 47 balls in the final T20I against Bangladesh, followed by a 107-run innings in the first T20I against South Africa and an unbeaten 109 in the series finale. Samson is expected to feature in the upcoming white-ball series against England.
Chopra included Travis Head in his top five T20I batters and gave the fifth spot to Jos Buttler. He also mentioned Reeza Hendricks, Ibrahim Zadran, and Pathum Nissanka as honorable mentions. Chopra recognized Finn Allen as well, noting his 137-run knock, which was the highest T20I score of the year.
“At No. 4, our nemesis and the headmaster who causes us headaches – Travis Head. At No. 5, I have kept Jos Buttler,” Chopra observed.
ALSO READ: Off-Spin Bowling: Comprehensive To Grip And Delivery
