Surprising Exclusions: No Indian Players in ICC's 2024 Men's ODI Team of the Year!
Instead, the lineup is distinguished by a significant representation from Sri Lanka, with four players, followed by three athletes each from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and a single player from the West Indies.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently disclosed the members of its "2024 Men's ODI Team of the Year," notably excluding any cricketers from India, a revelation that has taken Indian cricket enthusiasts by surprise. Instead, the lineup is distinguished by a significant representation from Sri Lanka, with four players, followed by three athletes each from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and a single player from the West Indies. This decision by the ICC has sparked quite a bit of conversation among cricket fans and pundits alike.
Charith Asalanka, known for his exceptional performance on the field, has been named the captain of this prestigious team. His outstanding achievement of scoring 605 runs across 16 ODIs at an average of 50.2 in the last year undeniably earned him this honor. The absence of any cricketers from the SENA countries - South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia - in the 2024 lineup is another aspect that has caught the attention of the cricketing world.
India's limited participation in ODIs during 2024, with only three matches played against Sri Lanka, contributes to the exclusion of Indian players from the ICC's list. Under the new coaching of Gambhir, the Indian team secured a draw in one match but faced defeats in the remaining two, resulting in a series loss to Sri Lanka. This performance came in the wake of India's reduced focus on ODIs, as the team concentrated on the T20 World Cup, which they won, marking their second victory in the prestigious tournament by overcoming the West Indies and USA in the finals.
In the aftermath of the World Cup triumph, prominent Indian players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 cricket. This marked a significant transition for Indian cricket, reflecting both on the field and in accolades such as the ICC ODI Team of the Year selections.
Remarkably, this is the second instance since 2004 that the ICC ODI Team of the Year has not featured any Indian players, the first being in 2021. This highlights a notable shift in the landscape of international cricket, where emerging talents from various nations are gaining recognition.
The complete roster for the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024 includes: Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) as captain, alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka), Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) as the wicketkeeper, Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Haris Rauf (Pakistan), and Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan). This lineup underscores the diverse talent pool in international cricket, showcasing players who have made significant contributions to their teams over the past year.
In celebrating the announcement, the ICC took to social media, stating, “Presenting the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024 featuring the finest players from around the world 👏”. This acknowledgment serves not only as a recognition of individual excellence but also as a testament to the evolving dynamics of global cricket, where talent transcends geographical and national boundaries.