Asia dominates ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year, no Indian included

The ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024 was released by the International Cricket Council recently. Much like the previous years' Team of the Year, this XI offers an abundance of quality as well as versatility. However, unlike the multitude of teams that have been shortlisted by the administrative body in the past so many years, one striking feature for the previous year's Team of the Year was the absence of Indian cricketers. 

Interestingly, out of the 104 ODIs played in 2024, India played only three. The bilateral series against Sri Lanka in the month of August which India went on to lose was the only assignment for the cricketing powerhouse in 2024. A total of four Lankans make the list.

Saim Ayub and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were drafted as the opening batters. The aggressive southpaw from Pakistan debuted only in November. However, he arrived on the scene immediately. Ayub looked in sensational nick with the bat, averaging an impressive 64.37 in the nine games he played. He registered two centuries in the three-match series in South Africa. Gurbaz was prolific in the series against Sri Lanka, Ireland, South Africa and Bangladesh. 

The next three batters in line were all Sri Lankans, with Patthum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka positioned at numbers 3, 4, and 5. The trio was amongst the top run-scorers in ODIs. In the 12 innings which Nissanka featured, he struck at a remarkable 106.44. Mendis was selected as the wicketkeeper. Apart from the topping the run-scoring chart, he was outstanding with the gloves. As for Asalanka, he was nominated as the captain of the side. Apart from being amongst the runs, he performed with the ball too.     

The only West Indian in the XI was Sherfane Rutherford. His run of five straight innings reaching 50 was a commendable streak too. Azmatullah Omarzai proved impactful with bat and ball in the 50-over format in 2024. A notable performance in the same vein was his outing against Bangladesh in the series-deciding ODI (4/37 and 70* [77]). Wanindu Hasaranga was the fourth Lankan to feature in the side. He led the roster for the most wickets in 2024 with 26 under his belt. A phenomenal 7/19 against Zimbabwe in January was when Hasaranga entered an elusive list of bowlers having recorded seven wickets in an ODI innings.

Also Read: Bumrah, Jaiswal, Jadeja included in ICC Test Team Of The Year 2024

Coming to the fast-bowling group, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf lead the line. Despite playing only six matches throughout the year, the tall left-arm seamer ended with 15 wickets under his belt. Haris Rauf possessed the same economy as Shaheen (5.09), while taking ODIs played in 2024 into account. His five-for in Adelaide saw Rauf operate at some serios pace. 18-year-old AM Ghazanfar became the fifth-youngest player in men's cricket to take a five-for in an ODI. The astute off-spinner ended up with 21 wickets at an incredible average of 13.57.  

ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year

Saim Ayub (Pak), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afg), Pathum Nissanka (SL), Kusal Mendis (SL) (wk), Charith Asalanka (SL) (c), Sherfane Rutherford (WI), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afg), Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pak), Haris Rauf (Pak), AM Ghazanfar (Afg)