Credit: ESPNcricinfo
The Year’s Most Spellbinding Performances Across Formats
For Indian cricket fans, 2024 was a rollercoaster of emotions, with exciting highs, painful disappointments, and moments of pure genius. While the batters dominated the focus, the bowlers frequently stole the show, turning games on their heads with spectacular performances. From enduring tough Test series down under to the nail-biting strain of World Cup matches, players on the pitch repeatedly show that they are the heart and spirit of the squad. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the excellent spells that made this year so memorable for Indian cricket.
India won this match because we have a Jasprit Bumrah (3/14). In the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, he bowled a spell against PAK that will live in the minds of cricket fans forever.
Bumrah’s dismissal of Babar Azam with a length ball that moved just enough to kiss the edge marked a turning moment. Then came Mohammad Rizwan, who was bowled with a delivery that would have made any snooker player proud. By the time Bumrah had Iftikhar Ahmed top-edging a full toss, PAK’s quest had disintegrated like a sandcastle against the tide. India’s 6-run triumph was a masterpiece in defending low totals, with Bumrah the clear hero.
The T20 World Cup final versus South Africa was not for the faint of heart. With South Africa chasing 177, Hardik Pandya delivered when it counted most. His three for twenty featured the sacking of Heinrich Klaasen, who had been in devastating form.
But what about the match’s timing? Pandya’s wayward full delivery to David Miller culminated in a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav on the boundary. It wasn’t simply cricket but absolute cinema. India retained their composure to win the World Cup, with Pandya’s heroics paving the way.
The year began with an incredible experience, best characterised as a startling collapse. Mohammed Siraj, known for his fiery personality, showed brightly during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. He had a fantastic bowling performance, taking six wickets for 15 runs in nine overs. Siraj tore through South Africa’s batting order, leaving them fighting for 55 runs in the first innings.
Following Siraj’s explosive session, India’s 7-wicket triumph was all but guaranteed. Not only did he have incredible numbers, but he also showed ferocious dedication and skill on the pitch.
Fast forward to November, when Jasprit Bumrah proved why he is Australia’s enemy. Bumrah dominated the opening Test in Perth. With 5 for 30 in the first innings, he dashed Australia’s hopes for a competitive start.
His stint was more than just taking wickets; it was also about communicating. Bumrah bowled so excellently that even Australia’s star batters looked like deer in headlights. India went on to win by an incredible 295 runs, and Bumrah’s performance became the buzz of the series.
In another T20 World Cup match against the United States, Arshdeep Singh showed why cricket has no bounds. His figures of 4 for 9 in four overs destroyed the hosts, resulting in India’s easy 7-wicket victory.
Arshdeep’s spell was a lesson on adapting to varied situations. His ability to bowl accurate yorkers and extract movement off the pitch transformed the game into a one-sided contest.
So, as we say goodbye to this rollercoaster of a year, let us raise a toast to the bowlers—the unsung heroes who transformed matches into memories and provided cricket fans with moments to remember. Here’s to more wickets, drama, and magic in 2025!
