Sports Desk

Cricket in 2024 was a year of contrasts — a blend of joy, heartbreak, and transformation. It delivered its fair share of unforgettable moments, from remarkable victories to unforeseen controversies. The year offered everything cricket fans could hope for—stunning individual performances, heated rivalries, and global shifts in the sport’s landscape. Daily Sun takes a look at some key events that defined cricket in 2024:

INDIA END ICC AND T20 WORLD CUP TROPHY DROUGHT

After the 2013 Champions Trophy win under MS Dhoni, Indian cricket touched many highs but an ICC trophy was missing. His successor Virat Kohli could not win a single ICC title as captain and then Rohit Sharma took over. But success was nowhere to be found as India lost the 2023 World Cup final and the World Test Championship title clash. But it all changed at the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies, where India lifted the trophy unbeaten. In one of the most dramatic T20 finals of all time by a margin of mere seven runs. It was India’s first T20 World Cup win in 17 long years and their first ICC title in 11 years.

ZIMBABWE MISS OUT, UGANDA QUALIFY FOR T20 WORLD CUP

In a heartbreaking development for Zimbabwe, they missed out on qualifying for the T20 World Cup after a narrow defeat to Namibia in the qualifiers. Conversely, Uganda made history by securing their spot in the tournament for the first time. They also secured their first ever victory at the T20 World Cup, defeating Papua New Guinea by three wickets in a low-scoring clash. Uganda’s qualification was a triumph for emerging cricketing nations and highlighted the sport’s growing diversity. For Zimbabwe, the setback underscored the challenges they face in reclaiming their place among the cricketing elite.

ASHWIN’S SHOCKING MID-SERIES RETIREMENT

Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement in the middle of a Test series against Australia. The veteran spinner cited personal reasons for his decision, leaving fans and teammates stunned. He finished his career with a total of 765 international wickets from 287 matches. Ashwin’s departure marked the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he left behind a legacy of brilliance and adaptability. His contributions to Indian cricket, particularly in Test matches, were celebrated as he bid an emotional farewell to the sport.

NEW ZEALAND WIN MAIDEN WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP

For all the incredible cricket they have played over the years and the wonderful players they have produced, New Zealand’s trophy cabinet has remained surprisingly empty. While the women’s team won the 50-over World Cup in 2000, they have twice fallen short in the T20 World Cup. The second loss, in 2010 against Australia, was particularly painful as the White Ferns fell short by three runs. The then-19-year-old Sophie Devine nearly got her team over the line as she drove the ball back to Ellyse Perry on the last ball of the final with five runs required. Fourteen years later, Devine and fellow veteran Suzie Bates were on the other side of the result as the self-titled “grandmas of cricket” led New Zealand to glory in the final against South Africa.

INJURED SHAMAR JOSEPH LEADS WINDIES TO HISTORIC VICTORY

Shamar Joseph etched his name in history as West Indies secured a historic series victory against Australia on Australian soil for the first time since 1997. Joseph’s fiery bowling spells dismantled the Australian batting lineup. This triumph marked a turning point for West Indies cricket, showcasing their resurgence on the global stage after years of struggle. The win reignited hope among fans and underlined the team’s potential to compete with the best.

PAKISTAN SUFFER THE GREAT AMERICAN SHOCK

In one of the most astonishing upsets in cricket history, the United States caused a major upset at the T20 World Cup by beating cricket heavyweight Pakistan in the Super Over. After both sides finished their innings on 159 in their Group A match at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, the tournament co-hosts held their nerve to pull off a major upset and make it back-to-back wins in the tournament. For the USA, it was a defining moment that showcased their potential to challenge traditional cricketing powerhouses on the global stage.

KONSTAS DEBUTS WITH A BANG

Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old sensation, made a stunning Test debut, marking his arrival on the global stage with an electrifying 65-ball innings on Boxing Day. As the fourth-youngest Australian to debut, Konstas achieved the third-fastest half-century on debut by an Australian and the fastest by an opener. But it was his remarkable dominance over Jasprit Bumrah that stole the show. Konstas, unflinching under pressure, took the most runs off Bumrah in a single spell of any Test batter facing him. The young debutant even stood his ground when Virat Kohli deliberately bumped into him, challenging the Indian captain’s aggression with a fiery response. Konstas’ debut was a statement—one that will resonate in cricket history for years to come.

CHAMPIONS TROPHY IN HYBRID MODEL AFTER SPARKING DEBATE

The issue of political tensions between India and Pakistan continued to haunt cricket in 2024, especially when the ICC proposed a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The arrangement, which moved some matches to neutral venues, was seen as a result of ongoing political conflicts and stirred debates on how politics continues to interfere with international cricket scheduling and team participation.The ICC finally reached a breakthrough in the 2025 Champions Trophy impasse, with a hybrid model agreed upon that will see India’s matches in the eight-team event taking place at a neutral venue. In return, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also take place at a neutral venue.

AFGHANISTAN REACH T20 WORLD CUP SEMIS

Afghanistan continued to redefine their cricketing narrative, reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup for the first time. Their journey was marked by exceptional performances, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive batting and Rashid Khan’s masterful spin bowling. They beat the likes of New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh on their way to a sensational run in the tournament. Despite falling short against South Africa in the semifinals, Afghanistan’s campaign was a testament to their growth as a cricketing force.

NEW ZEALAND SHOCK INDIA WITH HOME WHITEWASH

In a surprising turn of events, India suffered a rare 3-0 home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. The Black Caps exploited India’s vulnerabilities with disciplined bowling and solid batting performances, leaving the hosts struggling to find answers. This defeat raised questions about India’s bench strength, their adaptation to challenging conditions, and their inability to perform under pressure at home. While it was a bitter pill to swallow for Indian fans, the series served as a wake-up call for the team’s management to address glaring weaknesses ahead of future challenges.

SRI LANKA BEAT INDIA IN ODI SERIES AFTER 27 YEARS

Sri Lanka defeated India by 2-0 in the three-match ODI series and won their first-ever bilateral ODI series since 1997. Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach which started with a dominating series win in the T20Is, ended with a winless run in the ODIs in Sri Lanka. Indian batters struggled to bat against Sri Lankan spin bowlers.The Men in Blue lost 27 wickets against spin which is the most by any team in a bilateral ODI series.