Credit: News18
From marathon knocks to six-hitting sprees, here are the top five innings that lit up the year
Indian cricket fans experienced a kaleidoscope of emotions in 2024. One day, they were basking in the warmth of a historic ICC T20 World Cup win, and the next, they were reeling from the shock of a Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand. Despite the volatility, Indian batters gave us memorable moments—innings that glittered brighter than a Diwali fireworks display. Let’s explore five of these treasures across formats that shaped the year.
When Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped out to bat, the Vizag pitch resembled a minefield. What about Jaiswal? He converted it into his own playground. A superb 209 off 290 balls, studded with 19 boundaries and 7 sixes, sent the English bowlers scrambling for cover. The young opener’s symphony of patience and aggression overshadowed James Anderson’s sly periods.
#YashasviJaiswal was on 191. He then hit the ball for six & he reached 197.
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) February 3, 2024
Commentator was like why is Jaiswal taking risk at this moment...blah blah..
Next ball, Jaiswal hits a four & reached his maiden 200.
Jaiswal: Darr ki mkc 😂😂pic.twitter.com/MNgvdyZZ5l
India set a high target of 399, and the visitors struggled under the weight of Jaiswal’s massive hit. A 106-run triumph capped off an outstanding effort.
If grit and grace are the hallmarks of Test cricket, Shubman Gill exemplified both in Chennai. His 119 not out wasn’t the most spectacular of knocks, but it was a lifeline amid a storm. Facing 176 balls, he combined ten slick boundaries with four easy sixes to keep the innings together.
India defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs, and Gill’s performance stood out as a beacon of calm amidst the turmoil of Test cricket.
When Rohit Sharma takes the stage, explosions are assured. Against Australia in the T20 World Cup, the ‘Hitman’ smashed 92 off only 41 balls, including seven boundaries and eight soaring sixers. Mitchell Starc got the brunt of Rohit’s wrath as India scored an impressive 205.
Despite their best efforts, the Australians were defeated by 24 runs. It was a captain’s knock to remember, ensuring India’s unstoppable march to the T20 World Cup.
Explosive, unstoppable, unbelievable—Tilak Varma’s 120 not out off 47 balls was nothing short of a showcase for modern-day T20 hitting. Tilak hit 9 boundaries and 10 monster sixes, making the ball vanish into the South African night with unnerving frequency.
India’s 283/1 proved too much for the Proteas, who collapsed for 148. Varma’s strike rate: 255.31? This statistic will be discussed in amazement for years to come.
If you blinked, you’d miss Sanju Samson’s magic in Hyderabad. His 111 off 47 balls displayed pure force wrapped in elegance. Samson handled the Bangladeshi bowlers like practice cones, hitting eleven fours and eight sixes and maintaining an aura of invincibility.
India scored a staggering 297, while Bangladesh could only generate 164 in response. This innings had the Hyderabad crowd gasping for air and clamouring for more.
The year 2024 may have been a mixed bag for Indian cricket, but these five innings will live in the collective memory of fans. Whether it was Jaiswal’s tenacity, Gill’s elegance, or Samson’s aggression, each knock told a unique story—a tribute to cricket’s eternal enchantment. As we say goodbye to this historic year, we can’t help but wonder what else 2025 has in store for us.
