While the batters played their part, the bowlers, led by stars like Bumrah, Kuldeep, Axar, and Arshdeep, were the true game-changers
The year 2024 turned into a fairytale for Indian cricket. Team India brought home the T20 World Cup and broke their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. The final against South Africa in Barbados was a nail-biter, with India securing a thrilling 7-run victory to etch their name in history. This triumph saw India join England and West Indies twice as the only teams to win the T20 World Cup.
The tournament offered everything T20 cricket fans could ask for—a perfect battle between bat and ball. Some pitches in New York, Guyana, and Trinidad tested batters, while others brought balance to the contest. India’s bowlers stepped up when it mattered most, leaving fans with memories to cherish. On that note, here’s a look at the top five bowling performances by Indian players at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah was undoubtedly India’s star performer and the Player of the Tournament. While his performances throughout the World Cup were exceptional, his spell in the final stood out the most.
The numbers—2/18—may not seem extraordinary. But on the biggest stage, Bumrah changed the game in the 16th over. His pinpoint yorkers and unplayable deliveries unsettled the South African batters when they nearly chased down India’s total. He turned the pressure on its head and led India to victory. Once again, Bumrah proved why he is the man for the moment.
India faced a high-stakes Super Eight match against Australia. Revenge was on their minds after the heartbreak of 19th November 2023. Batting first, Rohit Sharma lit up the stage with a blistering 92 off 41 balls, taking India to 205/5 in 20 overs.
In response, Australia looked dangerous. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh built a solid partnership, and it seemed like the game was slipping away. Enter Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner dismissed Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, breaking Australia’s momentum. Those two wickets turned the tide. India won by 24 runs, and Kuldeep’s spell was pivotal.
India met England in the semi-final with fresh memories of the 2022 T20 World Cup. India had posted a competitive 171 runs, but the threat of England’s powerhouse batting loomed large.
Axar Patel took matters into his own hands with the ball. He quickly dismissed Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali. The early blows left England reeling, and they couldn’t recover. Axar’s 3/23 was a masterclass in control and accuracy. His spell ensured India’s ticket to the grand finale, making it a memorable performance.
Bumrah was at his lethal best during India’s Super Eight clash against Afghanistan in Barbados. Batting first, India posted 181/8, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant half-century. Afghanistan faced an uphill task, chasing 182.
Bumrah wasted no time. He dismissed the in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz, caught behind by Rishabh Pant. Hazratullah Zazai followed shortly after. Najibullah Zadran became Bumrah’s third victim as the Afghan batters struggled to handle his swing and pace. With figures of 3/7, including a maiden over, Bumrah once again showed why he’s India’s bowling spearhead.
Arshdeep Singh was India’s breakout star in the T20 World Cup 2024. He ended as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets. His standout performance came against the USA in New York, where he tore through the batting lineup.
On the very first ball of the match, Arshdeep dismissed Shayan Jahangir's leg before wicket. Andries Gous followed soon after, leaving the USA struggling at 3/2 in the opening over. Arshdeep didn’t stop there. He picked up Nitish Kumar and Harmeet Singh to finish with remarkable figures of 4/9 in four overs. His spell earned him the Man of the Match award and showcased his potential on the global stage.
