2024 Cricket Year Review: Kohli and Jaiswal shine, Mandhana and Sana rise to prominence.
Cricket fans will long remember 2024. It had two thrilling T20 World Cups in just four months. The tournament showed exciting young talent. It saw veteran players recapture their glory. Their countries had long waited for a trophy.
Top 10 cricket moments of 2024. We include a young pace bowler reviving West Indian fast bowling, a rise in women’s cricket, and Afghanistan’s growth into a top team.
1) Injured Shamar Joseph Stuns Australia with Match-Winning 7-Wicket Haul (January 28)
Injured Shamar Joseph Stuns Australia with Match-Winning Performance
Shamar Joseph produced a miraculous, match-winning performance. He took seven wickets and led the West Indies to their first Test win in Australia in 27 years. Injured, the 24-year-old pacer bowled a famous spell on Day 3 of the second Test in Brisbane.
Australia’s Chase Looks Comfortable
Australia appeared to be cruising at 60-2 while chasing a modest 216. Steve Smith and Cameron Green were set at the crease. Experienced batters like Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Alex Carey were still in the pavilion. A dominant 2-0 series victory seemed inevitable for the hosts.
To make matters worse for the West Indies, Shamar Joseph, a key pacer, had an injured toe. A Mitchell Starc yorker hit him while batting. The visitors were low on bowling resources, making the task even more daunting.
Shamar Joseph Changes the Game
Despite the injury, Shamar Joseph returned to the field. His toes were bandaged, and painkillers numbed his agony. What followed was a breathtaking spell of fast bowling.
Joseph unleashed fiery pace and pinpoint accuracy, tearing through Australia’s batting lineup. His 12-over spell of 7-68 shocked the Australians.
A Historic Win for West Indies
Joseph’s heroics secured a landmark win for the West Indies. It was their first Test victory against Australia in over 20 years. It was also their first win on Australian soil since 1997. It ended with Joseph’s triumphant sprint across the field. His ecstatic teammates celebrated him.
The scenes moved cricketing legends Brian Lara and Carl Hooper to tears in the commentary booth. Joseph’s rise from a small island in Guyana to cricketing immortality was an inspiring story for the ages.
2) Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Record-Breaking Test Double Hundreds Dazzle Cricket World (February 15)
Yashasvi Jaiswal Shines with Consecutive Test Double Hundreds
Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s rise to cricket stardom continues. The young Indian batter scored two back-to-back Test double hundreds. This achievement cemented his place in the history books. Jaiswal’s latest feats came in India’s 2024 home Test series against England. They showed his skill and hunger for big runs.
In the second Test, the 21-year-old opener scored 209. His innings led to India’s comeback and a decisive win. Just two weeks later, Jaiswal outdid himself in the third Test, smashing an unbeaten 214 off 236 balls. His innings included a record-equalling 12 sixes. They helped India win by a record 434 runs. It was India’s largest-ever victory by runs.
Jaiswal’s Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Test Records
Jaiswal’s path to success is nothing short of inspiring. The Uttar Pradesh native moved to Mumbai at 12. He sold pani puri to support his dream of playing cricket. He honed his skills at Azad Maidan cricket grounds. At 21, he made his Test debut in July 2023 against the West Indies, scoring 171 in his first match.
India’s faith in the promising batter paid off, after a brief dip in form. Jaiswal became the first Indian to turn his first three Test hundreds into scores of 150 or more. His consistency and explosive batting have made him a pivotal figure in India’s top order.
3 ) Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to Historic WPL Title Win in 2024 (March 17)
Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to First-Ever WPL Title
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by Smriti Mandhana, won the 2024 WPL. They finally broke their title drought. After a dismal 2023 season, RCB failed to qualify for the knockouts. They bounced back to win the championship in front of a packed Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
A Rocky Start Turned Triumph
RCB began their 2024 campaign with two wins. But, a mid-season slump put their knockout hopes in jeopardy. However, strong performances by Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana sent the team to the final. They are an Australian star and the captain, respectively. Perry scored 347 runs and took seven wickets. Mandhana made 300 runs. Mandhana’s calm leadership proved vital in high-pressure moments.
Women’s Cricket Shines
The WPL’s second season saw huge support. Thousands of fans flocked to stadiums, boosting women’s cricket. Mandhana, a two-time ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, called the title win one of her “top five moments.” It was one of the best moments of her career.
RCB’s win is a landmark moment for women’s cricket. It cements the WPL as a top tournament in the sport’s calendar.
4 ) USA Stun Pakistan in Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Opener (June 6)
Pakistan, runners-up in 2021, entered the match as overwhelming favorites. The USA, co-hosts in their T20 World Cup debut, faced a tough team. But, they held their nerve and won. The USA team, led by players from cricketing powerhouses, showed professionalism and resilience. These players came from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The super-over showdown capped an intense game that shocked fans worldwide. This historic win put the USA at the top list of the five biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history. It sent ripples across the cricketing world.
This result shows cricket’s growing global appeal. It highlights the potential of emerging teams to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
5 ) Pat Cummins Sets Rare T20 World Cup Hat-Trick Record (June 22)
Pat Cummins Achieves Historic Back-to-Back T20 World Cup Hat-Tricks
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, defending champions Australia had mixed fortunes. They won their first four matches but then lost to Afghanistan and India in the Super Eight stage. Despite the team’s ups and downs, Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins shone. He achieved an extraordinary milestone—two consecutive T20 World Cup hat-tricks.
Cummins at 31 years , took his first hat-trick in a match against Bangladesh. His wickets came in two overs. Just two days later, he stunned Afghanistan. He became the first player in T20 World Cup history to record back-to-back hat-tricks.
True to his modest nature, Cummins was unaware of the first hat-trick until others pointed it out.
6 ) Afghanistan Storm to T20 World Cup Semifinals with Historic Wins (June 24)
Afghanistan Storm to T20 World Cup Semifinals
June 22 was a watershed moment for Afghanistan cricket. The team made history. They beat the defending champions, Australia, by 21 runs in the T20 World Cup Super Eights. The commanding victory showcased Afghanistan’s growing prowess in the limited-overs format.
Two days later, Rashid Khan’s men proved their status. They edged out Bangladesh by eight runs. It was their first-ever semifinal. The back-to-back victories underline Afghanistan’s rise as a force in international cricket.
The celebrations resonated far and wide. From emotional players in the West Indies to fans at public screenings and in the streets of Afghanistan.
7 ) Kohli’s Heroics Help India End 13-Year T20 World Cup Drought (June 29)
In a dramatic Men’s T20 World Cup final, India ended their 13-year drought. They beat South Africa by 15 runs on June 29. Under pressure after scoring only 75 runs in seven matches, Virat Kohli rose to the occasion. He scored a vital 76 off 59 balls. India set a target of 176 after early struggles.
South Africa, chasing their first World Cup, looked strong. They needed just 26 runs from the final four overs with six wickets left. But Hardik Pandya’s stellar death bowling turned the game. Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant catch dismissed David Miller. That was the turning point.
India claimed their second T20 title as South Africa faltered. Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is as champions, cementing their legacies.
8 ) Chamari Athapaththu Leads Sri Lanka to Women’s Asia Cup Victory (July 28)
Chamari Athapaththu Leads Sri Lanka to Historic Women’s Asia Cup Title
Chamari Athapaththu, a star of Sri Lankan women’s cricket, has a major milestone. She led her team to victory in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. The 34-year-old captain excelled, scoring 304 runs in five matches. He made fifties in both the semifinal and final.
A Historic Victory Over India
Sri Lanka beat the seven-time champions, India. Athapaththu’s skill and leadership were key to the win. This win marks a breakthrough for Sri Lanka, as they secured their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title. Athapaththu’s contribution was unmatched. She helped her team beat the favorites with poise and skill.
Athapaththu’s Impact on Sri Lankan Cricket
In her 15-year career, Athapaththu set many records. She also raised the profile of women’s cricket in Sri Lanka. With 3,713 ODI runs and 3,371 T20 runs, she continues to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers.
9 ) Fatima Sana’s Inspirational Leadership in Women’s T20 World Cup Despite Personal Loss (October 14)
Fatima Sana: A Resilient Leader Amid Personal Tragedy
Fatima Sana, 23, has become a symbol of resilience in Pakistan’s women’s cricket scene. At just 17 in 2019, the fast bowler debuted. She became the first Pakistani woman to win an ICC award in 2021.
Taking Charge as Captain
Many were surprised by Sana’s appointment as captain before the Women’s T20 World Cup. But, the young leader rose to the challenge. In Pakistan’s opener against Sri Lanka, Sana excelled. She top-scored and took two wickets. Despite a tough loss to India, where she took two wickets, Sana remained a strong leader.
Overcoming Personal Loss
Tragedy struck when Sana’s father passed away after the match against India. She returned home, missing Pakistan’s defeat to Australia. But, the young captain’s strength shone as she rejoined the team for a crucial match against New Zealand. Though Pakistan lost, Sana’s bravery won praise from New Zealand’s Sophie Devine. She called her “the future of women’s cricket.””
Fatima Sana’s story is one of immense strength, inspiring both fans and players alike.
10 ) New Zealand Wins Maiden Women’s T20 World Cup: Devine and Bates Lead the Way (October 20)
New Zealand Wins Maiden Women’s T20 World Cup: Devine and Bates Deliver Historic Victory
New Zealand’s long-awaited moment of glory arrived. They won their first Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final. For a country with a rich cricket history, this victory was overdue. They had come so close in past tournaments.
The win was meaningful for Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, the “grandmas of cricket.” Both, veterans of international cricket, had seen its highs and lows. They were key in leading New Zealand to victory. Devine, who lost in 2010, knew the moment’s weight. He and Bates had shared 18 years of joy and heartbreak.
This win puts New Zealand’s women’s team among cricket’s best. It’s a historic achievement that fans will celebrate for years.
