A tough loss in the ODI World Cup finale made 2023 a bitter-sweet year for Team India.
They kicked off the year playing Sri Lanka and New Zealand, then cinched the Border-Gavasker Trophy (BGT) against Australia. Sadly, the BGT was their only triumph over Australia. The formidable Men in Yellow bested India in both WTC and the ODI World Cup finals.
India bagged the Asia Cup and Asian Games titles spiking some highs earlier. Now, they are in South Africa, playing a two-match Test series, but lost the first game in Centurion.
In 2024, all eyes will be on the swift T20 World Cup, happening in June in West Indies and USA. Besides this, other key series for the team will be hosting England and visiting Australia later in the year.
A fresh year full of aspirations for both individual excellence and group success lies ahead of us. In light of this, let’s examine five likely Indian men’s players who might excel in 2024.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
In 2023, Team India completed eight Tests. The upcoming 2024 season will likely spotlight around 15 red-ball games. India will be the host for ten of these games. The crucial role of Ravichandran Ashwin, considered one of the best spinners in Indian cricket, will be accentuated here.
Ashwin, boasting 490 Test wickets to date, is projected to participate in all home Tests. His performance on home turf is exceptionally strong, making him a formidable player for this season.
England is set to tour India from the end of January until March. They’ll face five test matches, with Ashwin leading the bowling. Following that, Bangladesh and New Zealand will visit in September and October. They’re scheduled for five Tests too.
With an average of 20.87 in his 55 Test matches played in India, Ashwin has claimed 337 wickets at a clip of 26 five-wicket innings.
4. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh had an incredible 2023, winning over everyone with his elegant IPL batting exhibition. He made 474 runs in 14 IPL 2023 matches at an average of 59.25. He received his first call-up to the national team thanks to his exploits.
With a few game-winning efforts, Rinku cemented his place in the team throughout his twelve T20I and two ODI appearances for India. In white-ball cricket for India, there aren’t many players who can truly fill the finishing role.
However, because of his ability to tonk the ball hard and long, Rinku appears to be a perfect fit for batting in the dying overs. Rinku has established himself by amassing 262 runs at an absurd average of 65.5 and a strike rate of 180.69 in just 12 Twenty20 Internationals.
There’s a pretty good chance he’ll compete in the T20 World Cup in June. He’s eager to keep wowing us all year. Rinku has had moments of true excellence. Still, staying consistent throughout the year is key.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has a special and deadly mix when bowling. His unusual motion produces outstanding bounce and speed, and his command of yorkers and swing makes him a terror for any hitter.
In 2023, a notable return to cricket shook the field. After an injury, Jasprit Bumrah reentered the game, proving why India felt his absence. Throughout that year, Bumrah played 19 games. His tally? A stunning 36 wickets with a brilliant average of 18.77.
What’s more interesting? He only failed to get a wicket once in the year. As we look forward to 2024, India anticipates more of Bumrah’s stellar performance.
It’s no doubt, Bumrah’s skill at manipulating batters is commendable. This will be pivotal at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Not to mention his adaptive pace bowling, priceless under Caribbean climates.
Since Bumrah is a proven match-winner, some of India’s concerns will be allayed if he has a fantastic 2024.
2. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill scored 2,154 international runs in 2023, more than any other batter. Last year, he was just devastating, setting many records with his steady performances. With 890 runs, including three hundreds, he even won the Orange Cap in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
Being the first player to bat, Gill is an excellent opener who establishes the tone for the innings. Now that he has secured his place, he can concentrate on steadily raising his scores and becoming a dependable mainstay of the Indian batting order.
Even if his red-ball returns have decreased recently, Gill is still a skilled hitter who will aim to improve his areas of weakness in order to attempt to counter with accuracy. Gill will have excellent opportunity to score more runs for India in 2024 through a variety of Test matches and white-ball series.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was brought up quickly in the Indian squad, is a strong contender for triumph in 2024. In the Indian Premier League and in international cricket, the flashy left-hander has demonstrated his ability to score runs fast and reliably.
Even at the age of 22, Jaiswal is constantly developing and acquiring new skills. He has the capacity to improve upon his current level of performance.
His explosive and fluid approach might come in pretty helpful during the T20 World Cup. As the ball ages, West Indies pitches frequently degrade. Jaiswal’s impact during the powerplay overs may therefore be crucial in determining the outcome of the competition.
Jaiswal has partaken in three Tests for India until now. His first-class cricket record speaks volumes, making it plausible for his batting to sparkle in the extended version too. Given his inherent knack to challenge opposition bowlers, Yashasvi Jaiswal has big plans to amplify his dominance and consistency in 2024.
