✍Surbhi Dinesh Singh Khichi
It was on 19th November 2023, when people at the Narendra Modi stadium and Indian fans worldwide were silenced by a team of eleven. And it was in June 2024, India India…the chants of the masses voiced yet again after the long wait came to an end. The Men lifted an ICC title trophy after 14 years. With India rising through every performance against the world greats, it would not be early to say that it is now the reign of India in the cricket world. In the year 2024 alone, India has touched greater heights with some unforgettable achievements.
2024 was quite a busy year for both the Indian Men’s and Women’s cricket teams. They contested in multiple bilateral series back home and away in all the three formats. The highlight, however was the ICC Men and Women T20 World cups and the ODI Men’s world cup. As the calendar year comes to an end, let us take a look back at the feats of our teams.
THE MEN IN BLUE
The bilateral series with –South Africa - India rang in the New Year in midst of an ongoing series with South Africa that began on December 10, 2023 and concluded on January 7, 2024. While the three match T20 series in December resulted in a tie, the ODI series was in India’s favor. It won the first ODI with 8 wickets and the third with 78 runs. And the two tests were a one each.
Then in November this year, India went on a tour to South Africa to play a four match T20 series. In a tale of events, India won it by 3-1.
Afganisthan - India hosted the Afghans in January for a three match T20 series. The Afghanistan cricket has grown in recent years. But the Indian men defeated them straight away. The first two matches were won by 6 wickets, the third slipped to a super over. Again, India emerged victorious by 10 runs.
England – The Victorian brigade was crushed in the five match test series in the beginning of the year by the hosts. The visitors tasted a sour loss by only winning the first test and facing back to back defeats in the rest four. The wins weren’t close enough, it was a 106 runs, 434 runs, 5 wickets, an innings and 64 runs. A blow on the face of the Englishmen.
Zimbabwe – After the T20 World cup, Indian men headed to Zimbabwe. Suryakumar Yadav led an all young pack right after the greats Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20 cricket. And they were not at all disappointing in their playing, proving that Indian cricket is in safe hands. India took the series to their name by winning by 4-1. Not to forget, the fourth match where it won by 10 wickets, still 28 balls left.
Sri Lanka – While the ODI series win was taken away by the Lankans, India fetched its win in the T20s. In the three match T20 series, India made a clean sweep. The third T20, again a Super Over finished with five balls still in hand.
Bangladesh – In September, India hosted neighbors from the east. India won both the tests, with 280 runs and 7 wickets respectively. The winning streak continued in T20s. And the huge margin as well, to begin with 7 wickets and 49 balls left, then 86 runs and in the last match a complete 133 runs.
THE T20 WORLD CUP –Needless to say, the star achievement came through the coveted title of being the ultimate T20 champions. When they were tested by the bat and the ball, when they played in the most varied conditions, at five different venues in U.S.A and West Indies, they stood tall…they emerged victorious. Not only winning the tournament, India broke records and made some new as well.
The Indian team is the only one to be undefeated till the end of the tournament, becoming the first to do so. It managed to win all the eight matches played, the one being a washout. It won its second T20 title long after 2007, becoming the third team to do so. The total of 176 that India put up by batting first is the highest by any team in T20 final, also could defend it convincingly. Virat Kohli won eight player of the match awards in the T20 World Cup, the most by any player. Rohit Sharma is now the most successful T20 captain in the world.
Now, India eagerly awaits for another – THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL, which is only possible by winning –
The Border Gavaskar Trophy-The great BGT is played among world best India and Australia. The ongoing test series stands on a 1-1, with both the teams not giving a chance to the other one to move ahead. Only if defeating champions was that easy? India began with a historic win, after losing to New Zealand back home. This was the first time when they could defeat Australia at Perth ‘The fortress’, that too with a record 295 runs. After Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah is the only Asian captain to win the test in Perth. The win came without Rohit Sharma, Jadeja, Ashwin and Gill. With three tests remaining, India still stands a chance to qualify for the final test championship by winning the remaining three.
2024 was indeed a promising year for Team India. The men in blue took it all to their shoulders and delivered well whenever needed, adding more feathers to their cap.
The women in blue
The women’s cricket has grown, built and established over the years. Then, it was only Mitali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, but now we have the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and many more. Kids at every doorstep know them all. It is with their efforts and hard work over the years, that we are able to see today – THE WOMEN’S ERA in Indian cricket. Here’s a look back at the achievements of Indian women in cricket this year.
The Indian women could not manage to reach the semi final of the T20 world cup conducted this year. It defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka, however then lost to New Zealand and Australia in UAE, due to which it was crashed out of the tournament. Not looking at the losses, let us talk about the wins of the women.
The year began with bilateral series against Australia. They won the only test match by 8 wickets. Even though they lost the ODI and T20 series to Australian women. Then in April, it was India tour of Bangladesh, where the women ensured to win straight five T20s. Then in June, India hosted the South Africa women, where they won the test match with 10 wickets, all the three ODIs easily and one T20 too.
Moving further, Indian women stood as first runner ups in the Ninth edition of Women’s Asia cup 2024, of which it has been the most successful with 7 titles to their kitty. Right now, it plays three ODIs with Australia. And after this, gearing up for the coming matches with West Indies women.
It’s not that the cricket teams have won it all, but they could rise and rise every time. Amidst all the defeats and the criticism that followed, they were able to give it all in the next match. Kudos to our players and team for being the pride!