In a surprising turn of events, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been left out of the ‘Team of the Tournament’ for the 2024 T20 World Cup, as selected by England cricket legends Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain. Despite India’s strong performances, only Jasprit Bumrah made it to the XI. The selection, based on the group stage performances, was discussed and explained by Atherton and Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Lone Indian Representative
Jasprit Bumrah stands as the only Indian in the team, having impressed with his consistent performances. “We had Bumrah, obviously. He had to be in,” stated Nasser Hussain. Bumrah’s five wickets in India’s first three games, including two Player of the Match awards against Ireland and Pakistan, solidified his spot in the XI.
Notable Absentees: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant were notable absentees despite their stellar performances. Virat Kohli, the all-time highest run-getter in T20 World Cup history, also missed out after scoring just five runs so far in the tournament. Fans and analysts alike were surprised by these omissions, but Atherton and Hussain focused on rewarding players who had an immediate impact during the group stage.
Unsung Heroes Recognized
Atherton and Hussain’s team selection highlighted several unsung heroes of the tournament. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, and USA’s Aaron Jones were included for their exceptional performances. Gurbaz, after winning IPL 2024, scored 167 runs in four innings at a strike rate of over 150. McMullen boasted an even higher strike rate of 170.
The All-Rounder: Marcus Stoinis
Australia’s Marcus Stoinis was the only all-rounder in the XI. Stoinis, the third top run-scorer of the 2024 T20 World Cup, has a phenomenal strike rate of 190. He also picked up six wickets in four games, maintaining an economy of just 5.77, demonstrating his value with both bat and ball.
The Complete XI
Here is Atherton and Hussain’s ‘Team of the Tournament So Far’:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) – Exceptional batting with a strike rate of over 150.
- Travis Head – Consistent and reliable at the top of the order.
- Brandon McMullen – High strike rate and impactful performances.
- Aaron Jones – Key player for the USA with solid contributions.
- Marcus Stoinis – All-round excellence with both bat and ball.
- David Miller – Dependable middle-order batsman.
- Alzarri Joseph – Effective with the ball, providing crucial breakthroughs.
- Akeal Hosein – Key spinner with economical bowling.
- Adam Zampa – Leading wicket-taker for Australia.
- Jasprit Bumrah – India’s standout bowler.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – Impressive performances for Afghanistan.
The ‘Team of the Tournament’ selection by Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain sparked discussions and debates, especially regarding the omission of Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their focus on impactful performances in the group stage allowed unsung heroes to shine. As the T20 World Cup progresses, fans will be eager to see if these selections hold up and if the snubbed stars can make a statement in the upcoming matches.
