It has come as a thrilling twist of fate, as two Indian cricketers, namely Arshdeep Singh and Smriti Mandhana, have been shortlisted for coveted ICC Player of the Year awards for outstanding cricketing exploits in 2024. Arshdeep Singh, the virtuoso left-arm fast bowler, has been selected for the ICC Men’s T20 International Cricketer of the Year category, while the left-handed stylish opener Smriti Mandhana has been feted as such under the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year category. Both players have played exceptionally well in the international arena, so both are very strong contenders for these coveted honors.
Arshdeep Singh: A Star Player in India’s T20 World Cup Triumph
25-year-old fast bowler Arshdeep Singh played a pivotal role for India in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. He received a nomination for the ICC Men’s T20 International Cricketer of the Year Award after outstanding performance throughout the year. During the T20 World Cup, Arshdeep grabbed 17 wickets, just equal to the highest number of wickets taken by Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi in the entire tournament. India emerged as the champion of the event by his remarkable contribution to Barbados.
Arshdeep has had nothing short of an amazing year in T20 cricket. The pacer concluded the year as the joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals by taking 36 wickets from 18 matches with an average of just 13.5. This is the second-best by an Indian fast bowler in T20Is in a calendar year after **Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 37 wickets in 2022.
Arshdeep’s best performance was in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India’s win over South Africa. He sent back key players like Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock early in the innings and bowled a crucial 19th over, conceding only four runs—a pivotal moment that ensured India’s triumph.
Other nominees for the award include Babar Azam (Pakistan), Travis Head (Australia), and Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), all of whom have had significant impacts in T20 cricket throughout 2024. Arshdeep’s nomination is a testament to his growing stature in international cricket.
Smriti Mandhana: Consistent Excellence in Women’s ODI Cricket
On the women’s side, Smriti Mandhana, India’s elegant opening batter, has been nominated for the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for her brilliant performances across various series in 2024. Smriti Mandhana’s consistency with the bat has been one of the highlights of India’s success in women’s international cricket.
Over the course of the year, Mandhana scored 743 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 61.91 and a strike rate of 96.99, which included two centuries. She also contributed with the ball, taking a wicket in her 2024 ODI campaign. Mandhana’s run-scoring spree began with a stellar series against South Africa in June, where she scored a remarkable 343 runs in three innings, including two centuries. For her excellent performance, she was awarded the Player of the Series.
Mandhana’s brilliance didn’t stop there. She made her third century in India’s home series against New Zealand after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Later, in December, she made another century in the last match of the three-match series against Australia as India lost the series 3–0.
The all-round skills of Mandhana also came to the forefront in India’s home series against South Africa, where she scored a match-winning century but also took a crucial wicket that helped India to win by four wickets. Her consistent form across formats has made her one of the most dominant players in women’s cricket today.
Other contenders for the prize are Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa, Chamari Atapattu of Sri Lanka, and Annabel Sutherland of Australia, each of whom has had incredible seasons. But Mandhana’s spectacular consistency and match-winning performances make her one of the favorites to win the award.
Arshdeep Singh: Turning Points in a Tour to Remember
Arshdeep’s ascension in 2024 speaks volumes of his toil and growth as an all-important cricketer for India in T20 cricket. His brilliant showings in the World Cup and the exceptional figures in 18 matches prove that he is an asset to India’s fast-bowling core. He is a dependable bowler who has proved himself by consistently picking wickets at crucial junctures while bowling in the death overs.
The 2024 T20 World Cup victory, wherein Arshdeep played a pivotal role in India’s victory, will be etched in his memory for the rest of his career. His match-winning 19th over against South Africa in the final where he restricted the opposition to just four runs was a decisive contribution to the team’s success.
Smriti Mandhana: The Backbone of India’s Women’s ODI Team
Mandhana’s performances in 2024 are an outright sign of her ability to rule the 50-over format. Her consistency in scoring big runs in every series has made her one of the most reliable players for India. Her ability to convert starts into big scores, coupled with her match-winning knocks, has made her one of the most impactful cricketers in the world.
Mandhana’s exceptional year began with her Player of the Series performance against South Africa, followed by brilliant centuries against New Zealand and Australia. Her ability to perform under pressure and in crucial moments has earned her widespread recognition. Mandhana’s contribution with both bat and ball has been invaluable, and she remains a key player for India as they look to dominate world cricket in the coming years.
It has been a year of excellence for Indian cricket, and that is reflected in the nomination of both Arshdeep Singh and Smriti Mandhana for the ICC Player of the Year awards in 2024. Arshdeep’s contributions to India’s T20 World Cup victory and Mandhana’s consistency across multiple series reflect the richness of talent and depth of Indian cricket.
With these nominations, India has once again proved that it is home to some of the best cricketing talent in the world. Cricket fans in India and across the globe are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners, hoping that one, if not both, will take home the coveted ICC Player of the Year award in 2024.
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