From soaring heights to shocking lows, Indian cricket in 2024 was a tale of resilience and reinvention
The year 2024 was more than simply another chapter in Indian cricket history; it was an emotional rollercoaster. In a matter of weeks, fans were catapulted from tremendous joy to agonising sadness. From breaking an ICC trophy drought to a surprise home whitewash, this was a season in which every moment seemed to tell a larger tale.
Let's take a look at the highlights, lowlights, and memorable moments in Indian cricket this year.
June 29, 2024, became a historic day. India's 11-year look for an ICC trophy ended in a thrilling T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Things looked bleak with 176 on the board until the Proteas' middle order found their rhythm. However, cricket is a game of magnificent uncertainty.
Enter Suryakumar Yadav, whose incredible jump and once-in-a-lifetime catch of David Miller secured the match's outcome. India won by seven runs, and a billion hearts rose together. The streets exploded in joy, and after years of grief, the Men in Blue finally stood firm on the international stage.
Just when fans thought they could relax, the cricketing world was shaken by a heartbreaking announcement. The legendary tandem, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have chosen to retire from Twenty20 Internationals.
Their decision, while predicted, created a hole that appeared challenging to replace. However, it was more than a leaving; it was a passing of the baton. For years, Rohit and Virat's records shone brightly in T20 cricket, and while their presence will be missed, their legacies will undoubtedly be passed down through decades.
Who said that India couldn't survive without its legends? Hyderabad became the scene for a new beginning. Under the brilliant leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India scored an eye-popping 297 runs against Bangladesh, their highest-ever T20 total.
Sanju Samson's explosives with the bat and SKY's imposing half-century proved that the next-gen side has plenty of firepower. The match, won by a startling 133 runs, was more than just a statistic; it was an explicit declaration that Indian cricket is prepared for the future.
The energy in Hyderabad came tumbling down during the Test series against New Zealand. For the first time since 2012, India suffered a Test series defeat at home—a humbling 0-3 loss.
New Zealand become the 1st side to whitewash India in a home Test series since 2000 🇳🇿👊#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/X3Zg0cKbjj
— Sport360° (@Sport360) November 3, 2024
The Kiwis, who were much underestimated, turned the tables with precision and conviction. While the loss was painful, it also revealed flaws that required immediate attention. Sometimes, defeat is the finest teaching, and the squad couldn't afford to disregard it.
Expectations were low when India met Australia in the initial Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, but India was still reeling from the defeat in New Zealand. With Rohit Sharma away, the odds were heavily stacked against India.
When Australia bowled India out for a meagre 150, critics sharpened their knives. But this was no ordinary Indian team. After a strong display, Australia was bowled out for 104. India battled their way back from loss in the second innings to claim a memorable triumph, proving that this side refuses to let up despite adversity.
In 2024, Indian cricket was like a magnificently dissonant symphony, reminding supporters why they initially fell in love with the game but also breaking hearts. From winning an ICC trophy to suffering a humiliating whitewash, the year displayed that cricket, like life, is full of twists and turns.
As 2025 approaches, the Men in Blue carry-on lessons, memories, and, most importantly, hope. Isn't that the whole point of cricket?
