Sat Jan 25 16:44:53 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma Leads ICC’s T20 Team of the Year, Kohli Snubbed

**Dubai, UAE** – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its Men’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024, with India’s Rohit Sharma leading the side. The selection has caused a stir, notably excluding star batsman Virat Kohli.

Four Indians feature in the team: besides captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Rohit’s inclusion is unsurprising, given India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024 under his captaincy, a tournament where he scored three half-centuries, including a superb 92 against Australia. Pandya also enjoyed a successful year, scoring 352 runs and taking 16 wickets in 17 matches. Bumrah’s impressive 15 wickets in 8 matches, including a best of 3 for 7, and Arshdeep’s 36 wickets in 18 matches, secured their places.

The team also boasts a strong international flavour, including Babar Azam (Pakistan), Travis Head (Australia), and Philip Salt (England). Babar amassed 738 runs in 24 matches, while Head scored 539 runs in 15 and Salt 467 in 17. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza also earned a spot. The inclusion of Nicholas Pooran and spin-bowling duo Rashid Khan and Wanindu Hasaranga complete the eleven.

The omission of Kohli from the team is a surprising decision, given his consistent contributions to the Indian team. The ICC’s selection criteria remain undisclosed.

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