Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has stirred the cricketing community with his latest ranking of the top five T20I pacers of 2024. Notably, two of the most iconic names in contemporary cricket, Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been left out of his list. Instead, Chopra crowned India’s Arshdeep Singh as the best pacer of the year, showing his ever-growing stature for the Men in Blue.
Why no Jasprit Bumrah?
Chopra clarified that his list was based on performances in at least 10 T20I matches during 2024. The former India opener emphasized that “quality of opposition” was a decisive factor, ruling out even some high-profile names. While Bumrah and Shaheen are often hailed as the finest in the business, their exclusion was rooted in specific criteria.
“Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t considered because he played only eight T20Is this year,” Chopra explained. He further added, “Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite taking 36 wickets, didn’t fare well against top-level opposition.”
Despite playing just eight T20Is in the entire year, Bumrah’s contributions were gold dust. He literally brought back Team India into a game multiple times during the T20 World Cup 2024. His stats from that tourney were just out of ordinary: 8 innings, 15 wickets, 8.26 bowling average, 4.17 economy and SR of 11.8!
Arshdeep Singh: The Number One T20I pacer
Leading Chopra’s list was India’s Arshdeep Singh, who has emerged as a potent weapon in the shortest format. The left-arm pacer claimed 36 wickets in 18 matches in 2024, boasting an economy rate of 7.49 and an average of 13.5.
“Arshdeep lives up to any parameter you set,” Chopra remarked. “He gives a breakthrough every time with the new ball. The last time he went wicketless was 27th June.” His ability to strike early and deliver under pressure has made him an indispensable part of the Indian T20I setup. While Bumrah was unplayable at the T20 World Cup, Arshdeep bagged all the wickets from the other end. He took 17 scalps at an average of 12.64, ending the competition as the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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In a surprising move, Chopra placed Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi at No. 2. The pacer bagged 30 wickets in 18 matches with an economy of under 8.5 and an average of 14.96. “At No. 5, I have kept Haris Rauf. He took three wickets against India if you talk about the World Cup, seven wickets against New Zealand in New Zealand, and five wickets against Australia in just two games. He has picked up 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19 and an economy of 9,” Chopra said.
Chopra ranked Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana at No. 3, praising his performances despite challenging roles. Pathirana took 28 wickets in 16 matches with an economy of 7.67 and an average of 13.25. “There is no doubt that he has grown in stature,” said Chopra. “He doesn’t bowl with the new ball and still maintains an economy close to 7.50, which is outstanding for a death bowler.”
New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson secured the fourth spot on Chopra’s list. Although he played only 10 matches, Ferguson’s impact was profound, with 20 wickets at an economy of 4.88 and an astonishing average of 9.25. “He picked up four wickets against Australia in just 3.5 overs while giving away only 12 runs,” Chopra highlighted, adding that Ferguson’s performances in critical moments set him apart.
Rounding out the top five was Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, who scalped 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19 and an economy of nine. His standout performances included a three-wicket haul against India in the T20 World Cup and seven wickets against New Zealand.
Aakash Chopra’s 5 best T20I pacers of 2024
| Rank | Player | T20I wickets in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arshdeep Singh | 36 |
| 2 | Abbas Afridi | 30 |
| 3 | Matheesha Pathirana | 28 |
| 4 | Lockie Ferguson | 20 |
| 5 | Haris Rauf | 27 |
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