Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has revealed his top five T20I batters for 2024, with 2024 T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma leading the list. Aakash Chopra picked two players each from India and England and one from Australia in his top five T20I batters for the ongoing calendar year.
Rohit Sharma helped the Men in Blue end their ICC trophy drought with a victory over South Africa in the final clash. The right-handed batter is the second-leading scorer in the tournament with 257 runs from eight innings at an average of 36.71 and an impressive strike rate of 156.71, with a best score of 92.
We Believe in Karma We Believe in Rohit Sharma – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra set a criterion of at least 10 innings while selecting his top T20I batters. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra named Rohit Sharma as his No. 1 T20I batter. He highlighted Rohit Sharma’s impressive record and consistent aggressive play in challenging World Cup conditions.
“We believe in karma, we believe in Sharma, yes Rohit Sharma. He has played 11 innings and scored 378 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 160. He has scored one century and three half-centuries. The conditions were difficult in the World Cup but he gave a start every time and played aggressively. He is my No. 1 T20I batter for 2024,” Chopra said.
Phil Salt Has Batted Extremely Well – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra named England’s Phil Salt as the second-best T20I batter of 2024. Sanju Samson secured the third spot for his recent exceptional form, having scored three centuries, including two consecutive ones against Bangladesh and South Africa.
“At No. 2, I have kept Phil Salt. He has batted extremely well. In 17 matches, he has scored 467 runs, which includes a century and two half-centuries, at an average of nearly 39 and a strike rate of 164. He has struck 25 sixes and 44 fours,” he observed.
“At No. 3, Sanju Samson. He has scored three centuries and two were consecutive. He first demolished Bangladesh in Hyderabad and then went and thrashed South Africa and he has played only 13 games and scored 436 runs at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 180,” Chopra elaborated.
Sanju Samson has been in impressive form this year. He scored 111 runs off 47 balls in the final T20I against Bangladesh, followed by a 107-run knock in the first T20I against South Africa and an unbeaten 109 in the series finale. Samson is expected to play in the upcoming white-ball series against England.
Headmaster Who Causes Us Headaches, Travis Head – Aakash Chopra
Chopra included Travis Head in his top five T20I batters. He completed the list with Jos Buttler for the fifth spot. Chopra also gave honorable mentions to Reeza Hendricks, Ibrahim Zadran, and Pathum Nissanka. He further acknowledged Finn Allen, whose 137-run knock was the highest T20I score of the year.
“At No. 4, our nemesis and the headmaster who causes us headaches – Travis Head. At No. 5, I have kept Jos Buttler,” Chopra observed.
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