Sat Jan 25 18:50:16 UTC 2025: ## Arshdeep Singh Named ICC Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year

**New Delhi, India** – Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been awarded the ICC Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year for 2024, adding to his impressive string of recent achievements. The announcement came just ahead of the second T20 match between India and England.

Singh’s award recognizes his exceptional performance in T20 cricket throughout 2024. He took a remarkable 36 wickets at an average of 13.5 in 18 matches. His contributions were particularly crucial in India’s triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 12.64 across eight matches.

Singh beat out stiff competition from Babar Azam (Pakistan), Travis Head (Australia), and Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) to claim the prestigious award. While only four bowlers worldwide took more wickets than Singh in 2024 (Usman Najib, Wanindu Hasaranga, Junaid Siddique, and Ehsan Khan), they all played significantly more matches.

This accolade follows Singh’s inclusion in the ICC’s T20I Team of the Year alongside Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya. He has amassed 98 wickets in his T20I career so far, boasting an impressive average of 17.90 and an economy rate of 8.24 in 62 matches. In the recent first T20I against England, he became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal’s record of 96 wickets. He needs only two more wickets to become the fastest pace bowler to reach 100 wickets in the format.

The news of Singh’s award comes as India prepares for its 76th Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. Fifteen thousand security personnel are deployed for a six-tier security system for the event, with the President of Indonesia serving as the chief guest. Thirty-one tableaux and over 10,000 special guests are expected to participate in the parade, culminating in the President’s flag hoisting and salute to the armed forces. Republic Day will also be observed nationwide in schools, colleges, and government offices.

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