2024 for India

This year saw more heartbreaks for the Indian fans as compared to the previous years. Yes, there was a T20 World Cup win but it was sandwiched between several disastrous games that by the end of the year, it seems like India have gone back to the dark old days of 1990s and early 2000s. The disappointment of missing out on the ODI World Cup trophy at home will rankle the Indians for a very longtime. Though the T20 World Cup came home after 16 years, the feeling of a golden opportunity missed in 2023, is too sad to ignore. Perhaps, a series win in South Africa, could have soothed some of the injured minds but that was not to be with the loss in the very first Test in South Africa. Overall, how was 2024 for India?

On a scale of 1-10, I will rate the year at 4.5. It was disastrous and humiliating in more ways than one. True, the year started off with a drawn series in South Africa. South Africa and India are proving to be the two most difficult countries to win series. South Africa prepare pitches that are exceptionally quick and bouncy. The Asian batsmen, just does not have a clue to bat on those ultra-bouncy surfaces. Yet, a brilliant performance with the ball, ensured that the series was tied which actually left the insatiable minds for more. At the end of it all, the Indian fans were left wondering when will we achieve our first ever series win in South Africa and become only the 3^rd nation in the history of the sport to have won atleast one series everywhere.

High of the season

For everyone, the T20 World Cup victory at USA and West Indies will rank as the biggest accomplishment of the Indian team during the year. It is true that it was a massive victory. Since the introduction of the IPL, India has never won the World T20. It has been 16 years since the last T20 World Cup win. 16 years is a very longtime when compared to Australia who is winning World Trophies for fun. It was a significant achievement but for me, Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. It supersedes anything and everything. There is a reason it is called Test because Test wins are harder to achieve.

I will rank the series win against England as the high of the season. It was as comprehensive as it could be. Infact, it must have been 5-0 but for a freakish innings by Pope. England in India are not the same as England in New Zealand or Sri Lanka or Pakistan or in their own country. They lack high quality spinners to trouble the Indian batsmen who are not the best players of spin but can very well cope on pitches that do not turn extravagantly. What made the victory over England so magnificent was the fact that a number of individuals made their debut during that series. Jaiswal, Padikkal, Sarfaraz, Jurel, Akash Deep to name a few.

The bottomline is that the team was as inexperienced as England were experienced. I do not have any problem in placing this win ahead of the T20 World Cup. I am disregarding that as less significant.

I will give the World Cup victory and honourary position.

Low of the season

Without batting an eyelid, it was the humiliating and disturbing whitewash at the hands of a decent but not so spectacular New Zealand squad. Careers should have been terminated right after the series. The BCCI in their own wisdom, announced the squad to tour Australia just before the 3^rd Test was to commence. It is like the BCCI did not care whether the series was won or loss miserably. The failures in that series were far too many. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jadeja. Ashwin has since retired but the others have stayed. It has resulted in another humiliation in Australia.

Lessons were not learnt post New Zealand. The BCCI whose only intention is to make money either by hook or by crook, did not even arrange for a couple of practice games before Australian series started. At the end of the year, Indian cricket is rotting. Far too many misfits have held onto their position for far too long. On turning tracks, Indian batsmen are like a bunch of buffoons. On bouncy pitches, it is the same story though the win at Perth was an exception. The future does not hold any potential. With the limited ability of the batsmen and zero support to Bumrah, the England series in July looks scary for every Indian supporter. England is usually a better batting side than Australia though the results may reveal another facet but in their country, 100 overs per innings is the norm.

Best Performers in 2024 for India

Two of them. One is the youngster Jaiswal who has taken to Test cricket like fish to water. His runs against England was the main difference between a series win and a drawn or even a loss. 1478 runs in 2024, the second highest for India behind Tendulkar’s 1562 in 2010. He was head and shoulders above every other Indian batsman. The aura that he created influenced Nathan Lyon to talk to the England spinner Tom Hartley to understand Jaiswal.

The other is ofcourse the irresistible Jasprit Bumrah. He has set the Australian fields on fire. If only he could have been supported, by now, India will be leading the series. The Australian batsmen are terrified of facing his bowling. 30 wickets in 4 Tests at less than 15 runs per wicket. An extraordinary performance. One can only shudder to think about the scoreline if not for Bumrah.

Worst Performers in 2024 for India

Easily the senior statesmen. I wanted to include Gill too in this list but the failure of Rohit and Kohli was far gigantic that it dwarfed everyone else. Kohli has been out of form for 5 years and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. It is time both of them retire or be dropped from the team.

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