Star Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been recognized for their outstanding performances in T20 cricket by being named in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024. This prestigious honor highlights their contributions to the sport and their excellence on the field.
Mandhana showcased her batting prowess by scoring a remarkable 763 runs in 23 T20Is for India in the previous year, emerging as one of the top run-scorers. Meanwhile, Ghosh displayed her explosive batting skills by accumulating 365 runs in 21 matches with an impressive strike rate of 156.65. The young talent from Bengal also notched up two half-centuries for the Women in Blue, showcasing her potential.
Deepti Sharma played a crucial role with both bat and ball, featuring in 23 T20Is for India and dismissing 30 batters while also contributing 115 runs to the team's total. Her all-round abilities have been instrumental in India's success in the T20 format.
The ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 is led by South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who excelled with the bat by scoring 673 runs in 19 matches and guiding her team to the Women’s T20 World Cup final. The team also includes standout players like Chamari Athapaththu from Sri Lanka, Hayley Matthews from the West Indies, Nat Sciver-Brunt from England, Melie Kerr from New Zealand, Marizanne Kapp from South Africa, Orla Prendergast from Ireland, and Sadia Iqbal from Pakistan.
Athapaththu, Matthews, Sciver-Brunt, Kerr, Kapp, Prendergast, and Iqbal all made significant contributions to their respective teams in T20 cricket, showcasing their talent and skill on the international stage. Their inclusion in the ICC team underscores their impact on the game and their ability to perform under pressure.
The ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 features a stellar lineup of talented cricketers who have excelled in the shortest format of the game, highlighting their commitment to excellence and dedication to their craft. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and determination to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
