Dubai, Jan 25: On Saturday, star opener Smriti Mandhana, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma were named in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024, showcasing a strong representation from India.
In addition to these three Indian players, the ICC team includes two South Africans, as well as individuals from Sri Lanka, England, West Indies, Australia, Ireland, and Pakistan.
Both Mandhana and Deepti were acknowledged in the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2024 as well, announced on Friday.
Mandhana had a stellar performance throughout 2024, kicking off the year with a remarkable 54 against Australia and concluding it with three straight half-centuries against the West Indies at home.
Her exceptional form led her to the second position in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings, amassing a total of 763 runs in 23 matches.
With eight half-centuries and a top score of 77, she achieved an impressive average of 42.38 and a strike rate of 126.53.
Richa’s explosive batting made her one of the key standout players for India last year, positioning her as one of the most thrilling young talents in the global cricket arena.
She started the year with an explosive 64 not out off just 29 balls against UAE, finishing with 365 runs and two fifties in 21 matches, averaging 33.18 and a strike rate of 156.65.
Deepti’s all-round skills proved pivotal for India’s success in 2024.
Using her off-spin, Deepti secured 30 wickets with an average of 17.80 and maintained a commendably tight economy rate of 6.01.
Her standout performances included figures of 3/13 against Nepal and 3/20 against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, showcasing her significant impact with both ball and bat throughout the year.
The ICC all-star team is captained by South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who guided her team to impressive victories, including a notable win over Australia in Canberra, where she scored 58 not out off 53 balls.
Wolvaardt’s exceptional performances earned her the No.5 position in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings.
Joining Wolvaardt is her teammate and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who contributed significantly with both bat and ball.
She scored an impressive 75 against Australia in January and a rapid 57 against India in Chennai while also taking 11 wickets with her seam bowling.
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu also earned her place after leading her team to triumph in the Women’s Asia Cup, where she scored two centuries, including a match-winning 119 not out in the final against India.
Additionally, the team features West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, and player of the tournament Melie Kerr from Australia.
Kerr claimed 29 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 15.55, with her best performance being 4/26 against Australia, which aided her team’s title victory.
Irelish pace-bowling all-rounder Orla Prendergast and Pakistani left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal complete the eleven.
ICC Women’s T20I Team of 2024:
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Marizanne Kapp (both SA); Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh (wk), and Deepti Sharma (all India); Chamari Athapaththu (SL); Hayley Matthews (WI); Nat Sciver-Brunt (England); Melie Kerr (Australia); Orla Prendergast (Ireland); and Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan).
