The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2024, and the announcement has sent shockwaves.
Notably, no Indian player has made it to the prestigious squad, while three players from Pakistan have been included.
This decision reflects India’s limited participation in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) throughout the year.
Overview of the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024
The ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year features a total of 11 players, with a strong representation from Asian nations. The squad is as follows:
- Charith Asalanka (C) – Sri Lanka
- Saim Ayub – Pakistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Afghanistan
- Pathum Nissanka – Sri Lanka
- Kusal Mendis (WK) – Sri Lanka
- Sherfane Rutherford – West Indies
- Azmatullah Omarzai – Afghanistan
- Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Pakistan
- Haris Rauf – Pakistan
- A M Ghazanfar – Afghanistan
Reasons Behind India’s Absence
India’s exclusion from the team can be attributed to their limited international commitments in the ODI format during 2024.
The Indian team played only three ODIs against Sri Lanka, losing two matches and tying one. This lack of exposure significantly impacted their players’ chances of being recognized in the ICC’s all-star lineup.
Performance in ODIs
During their tour of Sri Lanka, India struggled to make a mark despite fielding a strong squad that included prominent players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.
Captain Rohit Sharma was the standout performer for India, scoring two fifties across the three matches. However, the overall performance was insufficient to secure any spots in the ICC Team of the Year.
On the other hand, teams like Sri Lanka and Pakistan had more fruitful years. Sri Lanka played 18 ODIs, winning 12 of them, while Pakistan secured seven victories from nine matches. This disparity in performance and match exposure played a crucial role in shaping the ICC’s selections.
The absence of Indian players from such a prestigious lineup highlights the need for consistent performances and increased participation in ODIs to regain their standing on the international stage.
As fans await further developments, all eyes will be on how Indian cricketers respond to this challenge in their upcoming fixtures.
