Renowned commentator and cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle has revealed his Test Team of the Year for 2024, sparking discussions among cricket enthusiasts. Interestingly, this year's squad does not feature heavyweights like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, or Rishabh Pant, instead opting for the scintillations of players from different teams around the globe.
Bhogle’s selection includes three English players, two Indians, and one each from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand. Notably, this team is highlighted by the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah, capturing attention due to the absence of established captains.
Each player’s merits are grounded firmly in their outstanding performances during the year. Opening the innings are Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ben Duckett, two left-handers who have made significant contributions. Jaiswal, particularly, has dazzled the cricket world with his phenomenal year, accumulating 1,332 runs at an impressive average of 52 across 27 innings. “Yashasvi Jaiswal did everything asked of him as an opener, so he is my first pick,” stated Bhogle, highlighting Jaiswal’s stellar performance. Duckett also had an impactful season, finishing the year with 1,100 runs.
At number three, Harsha Bhogle recognized New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who has averaged 59.58 with 1,013 runs from just 18 innings this year. He remarked on the quality of Williamson’s contributions, stating it was hard to overlook his consistent run-scoring ability. Following him at number four is England’s Joe Root, who stood out by leading the run charts with 1,556 runs, including six centuries and five half-centuries from 31 innings. Bhogle’s assessment pointed to Root’s capacity to anchor and build innings across formats.
Below them, the dynamic Harry Brook earned recognition for his attacking play, fitting neatly as the fifth player on Bhogle's roster. This inclusion shows Bhogle’s belief in Brook’s potential as he noted, “He’s going to be a special player.” Kamindu Mendis from Sri Lanka takes the sixth slot, praised for his average of 75 with 1,049 runs and five centuries, making him one of the shining stars of the year.
Behind the stumps, Bhogle opted for Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, whose skills as a wicketkeeper-batter add depth to the side. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja earned his place at number eight due to his all-around abilities, having taken 44 wickets and scored 500 runs across 11 Tests this year.
When it came to the bowling line-up, Bhogle put together a formidable trio of pacers: Gus Atkinson with 52 wickets from 11 Tests, Kagiso Rabada with 32 wickets from seven Tests, and the season's standout player Jasprit Bumrah, who added another feather to his cap with 62 wickets from 12 Tests. Bhogle has gone on to laud Bumrah for his extraordinary displays, asserting the fast-bowler's ability to perform irrespective of conditions.
This intriguing mix of players indicates not only the talent across different cricketing nations but also shines light on Bhogle's fearless selections, challenging the status quo of established stars. The cricketing world now eagerly awaits to see how these players perform, especially with Jaiswal, who is set to be active again during the upcoming Boxing Day Test.
Interestingly, Bhogle refrained from including any Australian players, piquing curiosity among fans. His approach reflects not just individual performances but also the dynamic nature of international cricket. The stark omission of previous Indian stalwarts like Sharma and Kohli introduces fresh narratives surrounding performance appraisal at the top level.
With the announcement drawing sharp lines between established names and rising stars, how will this affect their presence on the world stage? Only time will tell, as these players gear up for future challenges and opportunities to justify their selections on Bhogle's prestigious team.
