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Aakash Chopra ignores star India bowler Photograph: (X)
Former India star batter Aakash Chopra has named his top 5 bowlers in the T20I format for the year 2024. The 47-year-old’s five names didn’t include Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi and India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah. The non-inclusion of Bumrah is a huge surprise, especially after his amazing performance during the T20 World Cup.
Aakash Chopra while speaking on his YouTube channel said “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 nine”
Haris Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s best bowlers in 2024 having played 17 games. The 31-year-old picked 27 wickets with a best of 4/22. His best figures came during the game in Sydney and also picked 3 wickets during the World Cup game in New York.
Aakash Chopra names his top T20I bowlers of 2024
“At No. 4, I have kept Lockie Ferguson. He has played only 10 matches. However, he has taken 20 wickets. His economy is just 4.88 and he has an average of 9.25. He picked up four wickets against Australia in just 3.5 overs while giving 12 runs. He has a few three-wicket hauls as well” added the former India star.
Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson wrote himself in the history books by bowling four maidens during the T20 World Cup. Aakash Chopra also said “At No. 3, we have put Matheesha Pathirana's name. There is no doubt that he has grown in stature. He has picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.67 and an average of 13.25. The last time he went wicketless was against South Africa in New York”
The 47-year-old left out Shaheen Afridi but added Abbas Afridi to the list at number two. “At No. 3, we have put Matheesha Pathirana's name. There is no doubt that he has grown in stature. He has picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.67 and an average of 13.25. The last time he went wicketless was against South Africa in New York”. The 23-year-old picked 30 wickets from 18 games during the 2024 calendar year.
At number 1, Aakash Chopra has placed Arshdeep Singh who has become India’s leading pacer in the 20 over format. Aakash Chopra said “I have kept Arshdeep Singh at No. 1. He has picked up 36 wickets in 18 matches at an economy of 7.49 and an average of 13.5. He lives up to any parameter you set. He gives a breakthrough every time with the new ball. The last time he went wicketless was 27th June," Arshdeep played 18 games and picked 36 wickets with a best of 4/9.