Team India won 24 out of 26 games played this year. How India were able to achieve such feet? Philosophy and mindset behind the success.
What a fairy-tale ride it has been for India’s cricket team in the T20 format in 2024! It’s like they’ve discovered the secret recipe for domination. And this year, they’ve been serving up a platter of wins like there’s no tomorrow. The Men in Blue have completed a flawless run across five bilateral series, emerging victorious in every single one of them. Whether it was Afghanistan and Bangladesh on home soil or Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in their own backyards, every opposition had to deal with the audacity, flair, and sheer explosiveness of this young India side.
Out of the 26 matches India played, they won a staggering 24—yes, you read that right, 24! They only stumbled twice: once during the Zimbabwe tour (right after their T20 World Cup triumph, with a slightly experimental line-up) and another time against South Africa in this recent series. But even those rare defeats were mere blips in what has been a monumental year.
India’s T20I dominance in 2024 saw them not only lift the T20 World Cup but also break records and set new benchmarks for excellence. With a win percentage of 92.31%, they’ve raised the bar for everyone in the format—no team has ever had such a stellar record in T20 history.
Aggressive mindset
India's young brigade has taken the cricket world by storm with a fearless, win-at-all-costs mentality that’s turning heads. In 2024, their aggressive approach reached new heights. They smashed a boundary every 4.68 balls (their best-ever) and cleared the ropes every 12.19 balls, setting another personal best. The result has been a record-breaking nine 200+ totals in a calendar year.
Gone are the days of conservative batting. India’s top order was on fire, with seven centuries, including three from Sanju Samson, two from Tilak Varma, and one each from Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Sharma. That’s a new record for most team centuries in a T20 calendar year. The run rate was equally sizzling, averaging 9.55 runs per over, their highest ever and the second-best by any men’s T20I team, with Australia narrowly ahead at 9.72.
And, it's not just about the batters. India's bowlers were equally ruthless, with Arshdeep Singh leading the charge, picking up 36 wickets in 18 matches at an astonishing average of 13.50. India’s bowlers averaged 8.39 wickets per innings, the highest for any Test-playing nation in a year.
Read More: SA vs IND, T20Is: Key takeaways for India; How is the team shaping up under Suryakumar Yadav?
Young guns take charge in T20 cricket
The future of Indian cricket is in very safe hands. The young guns have stepped up in style, even after the departure of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20 scene. With match-winners like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah also missing, this team has shown that age is just a number. They’ve been playing like true champions.
A change in mindset has worked wonders for the Men in Blue in 2024. The new approach has given these youngsters the freedom to express themselves. And boy, they have extracted full advantage! From Tilak Varma to Abhishek Sharma, the new breed has elevated their game to a whole new level. Even Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, has made a successful comeback, adding his own brand of magic to the squad.
Kudos also go to the management, which has shown remarkable faith in giving players like Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, and Arshdeep Singh extended runs to prove themselves. Under this new, supportive environment, players like Samson—often criticised for inconsistency—have thrived. In fact, Samson hit his third T20I century of the year, making him the only player to do so!
Suryakumar Yadav: A leader who inspires
Suryakumar Yadav may wear the T20I captaincy badge, but his leadership style is all about empowering his teammates, not just commanding from the front. Having led India against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and now in his third series as the permanent captain against South Africa, Surya has been steering the ship with flair. And, it’s showing on the scoreboard. But it’s not just the results; the real growth is in how he’s nurturing the next generation of talent.
Surya’s leadership isn’t about ego; it’s about trust. Just ask Sanju Samson, who scored back-to-back centuries and credited Surya for backing him with the clarity and support he needed to thrive. Similarly, when Tilak Varma came in at No. 3 in the 3rd T20I against South Africa, he delivered a century. Notably, Surya sacrificed his own spot to give the youngster a chance.
This selfless approach speaks volumes about Surya’s mindset as a leader. He’s all about the team’s success, even if it means putting his own ambitions on hold. The result is a team full of freedom, confidence, and belief in their roles. Surya has the perfect opportunity to continue building and shaping this young India team for the years ahead. With his guidance, there’s no telling how high they can soar in T20I cricket.
Heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, things couldn’t look brighter for Suryakumar Yadav and his squad. Even with the absence of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and experienced horses like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah missing from the action, this team has performed like a well-oiled machine, full of promise and potential. What a journey it’s been; here’s to more!
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