New Delhi: India’s left-arm pacemaker Ardeep Singh After a brilliant year on the international stage, has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award. The nomination recognizes the key role he played in India’s success, including his memorable performance during the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. Ashdeep will compete against Zimbabwe Sikandar RazaAustralian Travis Hydeand Pakistan’s Babar Azam For the prestigious honor.
Arshdeep took an impressive 36 wickets in just 18 games in 2024 and maintained a bowling average of 13.5. His score is the second-highest ever by an Indian pacer in T20Is, just a hair behind Bhuvneshwar KumarIn 2022, he took 37 scalps. The status of the premier pitcher in the short format.
His crowning moment came in the T20 World Cup final, where his disciplined and impactful bowling ensured India won the tournament for the second time. Defending 177 against South Africa, Ashdeep sacks key players Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock Early in the innings, the chase was disrupted. He conceded just 4 runs in a high-pressure 19th over, raising the required run rate and setting the stage for India’s victory.
Ashdeep’s rise coincides with Jasprit BumrahSelective appearances in T20Is gave him the opportunity to lead the bowling attack. His ability to adapt to different pitches and conditions was on full display throughout the year, both in the domestic series and on the overseas tours of Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies.
Also in contention for the title are Sikandar Raza, whose all-round brilliance helped Zimbabwe achieve a historic victory, and Travis Head, who showcased his explosive batting for Australia Ability; Babar Azam, Pakistan’s consistent run scorer.
The ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award recognizes outstanding figures in the shortest format and Arshdeep’s extraordinary achievements make him a strong contender. His performance underlined his growing stature in world cricket and underlined his importance to the Indian T20 team as they face the challenges ahead.
