The year 2024 was a roller-coaster ride for Indian cricket, filled with unforgettable moments, major milestones, and a few disappointments. From clinching the T20 World Cup to facing challenges in Test matches, here’s a complete review of how Team India fared this year.
Historic T20 World Cup Win After 17 Years
Indian cricket fans finally got the moment they were waiting for—lifting the T20 World Cup trophy after a 17-year-long drought. On June 29, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India broke an 11-year ICC trophy jinx. This historic victory was the highlight of the year, showcasing India’s dominance in the shortest format of the game.
The joy was bittersweet, though, as captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 cricket shortly after the win. While both legends continue to lead and contribute in ODIs and Tests, their exit marked the end of an era in T20 cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav has since taken over as T20 captain, steering the team with confidence. Youngsters like Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma made headlines with explosive centuries in T20 matches against South Africa, ensuring a bright future for Indian cricket in this format.
Test Matches: Mixed Results and a Tough Series
India played 13 Test matches in 2024, showing both brilliance and vulnerability. The team started strong, winning series against South Africa (1-0), England (4-1), and Bangladesh (2-0). However, a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand in October-November was a major setback. This loss significantly dented India’s chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
In the final series of the year, India faced Australia in two Tests, winning one and losing the other. Despite these ups and downs, performances from players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant kept the team competitive and fans hopeful.
Dominance in T20s
Apart from the World Cup, India played 18 T20 matches in 2024, winning every series they played. The team whitewashed Afghanistan (3-0), Sri Lanka (3-0), and Bangladesh (3-0), while also defeating Zimbabwe (4-1) and South Africa (3-1). These victories reflect the depth and talent of the current squad.
Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance, Shubman Gill’s consistency, and standout performances from new stars helped India dominate the format.
ODI Struggles and a Rare Series Defeat
ODI cricket, however, remained a weak spot for India in 2024. The team played only one ODI series, against Sri Lanka, and lost 2-0. The first match was a draw, but India faltered in the next two games, losing by 32 and 110 runs. This defeat highlighted areas for improvement ahead of major tournaments in 2025.
India Shines in ICC Rankings
Despite some challenges, India maintained its dominance in ICC rankings this year. The team ended 2024 as the No. 1 side in both T20 and ODI formats. In Tests, they slipped to third place but remained competitive.
In the men’s batting rankings, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli held the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya topped the T20 all-rounders’ rankings, underlining his importance to the team.
New Coaching Team
After the T20 World Cup victory, the Indian Cricket Board revamped the coaching setup. Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach, with Morne Morkel as bowling coach and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach. Abhishek Nair also joined the team as an assistant coach. This fresh team aims to take Indian cricket to greater heights in 2025 and beyond.
A Memorable Year
The year 2024 was a mix of triumph and challenges for Indian cricket. The T20 World Cup win and the rise of new stars brought immense joy, while Test and ODI setbacks served as reminders of areas to improve. With a new captain in T20s and a revamped coaching staff, India looks ready to build on this year’s experiences for future success.
