Exploring Players' Ascension: Analyzing the Impactful Shifts in ICC Rankings between the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and 2024
By Rohit Sankar
A myriad of transformations has swept the cricketing landscape since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Notably, the gleaming emergence of a new cricketing coliseum in New York, set to host various encounters, including the riveting clash between India and Pakistan on June 9, epitomizes the evolving spectacle.
Equally noteworthy is the remarkable turnaround in fortunes for certain teams, exemplified by the co-hosts, West Indies. Following their premature exit in 2022, marred by losses to Ireland and Scotland, West Indies have orchestrated a resounding resurgence. Victories against stalwarts like England, India, and South Africa in bilateral series during 2023 have propelled them into red-hot form, culminating in a commanding 3-0 triumph over South Africa in a recent bilateral series.
England, in a reminiscent oscillation, has navigated through peaks and troughs since their triumphant campaign in Australia in 2022. Under the stewardship of Jos Buttler, the side has encountered mixed fortunes, securing victories in five T20Is while succumbing to defeat in eight.
Stars Ascend: Players Surging in ICC Rankings Ahead of T20 World Cup
In the latest update of the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, West Indies have surged to fourth place, with India leading the pack and England, despite recent setbacks, securing the third spot.
Crucially, the ascent of teams in the standings correlates with the individual accolades garnered by certain players in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings.
As the 2024 mega event beckons, we delve into the meteoric rise of players across various categories between the two T20 World Cups, focusing on those named in the squad for the upcoming tournament and ranked within the top 50 in their respective categories in 2024.
West Indies Spearhead Rankings Surge Ahead of T20 World Cup
Travis Head and Yashasvi Jaiswal Shine in Batting Rankings
One of the most electrifying additions to the T20I arena, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has spearheaded India’s batting charge since his debut in August 2023. With an explosive tally of 502 runs in 17 T20Is, boasting a striking rate of 161.93, Jaiswal has ascended to sixth position in the men’s T20I batting rankings, trailing only Suryakumar Yadav among Indian batters.
Similarly, Travis Head’s meteoric rise from a ranking of 587 in November 2022 to 16th in 2024 has captured attention. Following a stellar IPL 2024 campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Head's prowess has earned accolades, notably from Australian legend Ricky Ponting, who earmarked him as a leading run-scorer.
England’s Phil Salt has also surged, climbing to second place in the batter rankings with a staggering tally of 407 runs in nine T20Is, marked by two centuries and an average exceeding 50, coupled with a striking rate of 168.18.
The upward trajectory of Johnson Charles from West Indies and Tim David from Australia further underscores the dynamic shifts in the batting rankings.
Batting Rankings Shake-Up: Players Making Big MovesBatting Rankings Shake-Up: Players Making Big Moves
| Player | Rank in 2024 | Rank in 2022 | Change in Rank |
|-----------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal| 6 | NA | NA |
| Rinku Singh | 32 | NA | NA |
| Michael Levitt | 38 | NA | NA |
| Travis Head | 16 | 587 | 571 |
| Phil Salt | 2 | 139 | 137 |
| Johnson Charles | 20 | 119 | 99 |
| Tim David | 22 | 114 | 92 |
| Mark Chapman | 34 | 124 | 90 |
Of note, Phil Salt stands out as the sole newcomer to the top five in 2024, compared to 2022. Suryakumar Yadav (consistently at the top), Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Aiden Markram, who currently hold four of the top five spots, also maintained their positions since November 2022, following the T20 World Cup.
Additionally, Rinku Singh, a reserve in India's T20 World Cup squad, and Netherlands’ Michael Levitt have made noteworthy entries into the top 50 of the batting rankings in 2024.
Rinku has made an impressive start to his T20I career, boasting an average of 89 and a strike-rate of 176.23 since his debut in August 2023, currently securing the 32nd position in the batting rankings.
Levitt, positioned at 38th, has already left his mark on the T20 World Cup, shining with a half-century in Netherlands’ victory over Sri Lanka in a warm-up match. At just 20 years old, Levitt is a sensational talent, highlighted by his record-breaking innings of 135 runs off 62 balls against Namibia, the highest score by a Netherlands player in T20Is. With 349 runs in eight T20I innings, he aims to leave a significant impression in the upcoming mega tournament.
Bowling Rankings Reshuffled: Stories of Resurgence
Among the bowlers, notable improvements have been observed in West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie and India’s Kuldeep Yadav, both ascending to the top 30 of the bowling rankings.
Motie showcased brilliance for West Indies during bilateral contests against England and South Africa, claiming 13 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 6.88. He skyrocketed by 84 places in the latest rankings update ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Kuldeep, once sidelined by selectors, has staged a remarkable comeback, snatching 15 wickets in his last 10 games, with an average of 14.33 and an economy rate of 6.35.
Romario Shepherd, Nathan Ellis, and Imad Wasim, who reversed his retirement decision earlier this year, have also witnessed significant shifts in their bowling rankings, exemplifying tales of resurgence and determination.
Bowling Rankings Shakeup: Noteworthy MoversBowling Rankings Shakeup: Noteworthy Movers
| Player | Rank in 2024 | Rank in 2022 | Change in Rank |
|------------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|
| Gudakesh Motie | 27 | 1150 | 1123 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 24 | 127 | 103 |
| Romario Shepherd | 29 | 109 | 80 |
| Nathan Ellis | 26 | 100 | 74 |
| Imad Wasim | 38 | 107 | 69 |
Substantial changes have reshaped the bowling landscape, with notable movements seen among various players.
Gudakesh Motie stands out with an extraordinary leap, vaulting from 1150th position in 2022 to a commendable 27th rank in 2024, marking an impressive ascent of 1123 places.
Kuldeep Yadav, another standout performer, has surged from 127th to 24th place, marking a significant climb of 103 ranks. His resurgence signals a formidable presence in the bowling fraternity.
Romario Shepherd and Nathan Ellis have also demonstrated remarkable improvements, elevating their positions by 80 and 74 ranks respectively. Shepherd now occupies the 29th spot, while Ellis sits at 26th, showcasing their growing prowess on the bowling front.
Imad Wasim completes the list of noteworthy movers, rising by 69 places to secure the 38th position in the bowling rankings, underlining his consistency and impact.
Additionally, three standout performers have made significant strides into the top 10 of the bowling rankings from November 2022 to 2024:
- Ravi Bishnoi has made a staggering ascent from 74th to 4th place, signaling his emergence as a formidable bowling force, despite missing out on T20 World Cup selection.
- Axar Patel's impressive surge from 39th to 3rd position underscores his prowess as a key bowling asset for his team.
- Reece Topley's climb from 23rd to 9th place showcases his growing influence and effectiveness in the bowling department.
While Bishnoi may have missed the T20 World Cup selection, Axar Patel and Reece Topley are set to embark on their respective journeys to the Caribbean and the USA, adding depth and potency to their teams' bowling arsenals.
The Arduous Journey of All-Rounders in RankingsThe Arduous Journey of All-Rounders in Rankings
While the top 10 of the all-rounders’ rankings have witnessed relative stability over the past two years, notable shifts have occurred outside this elite group. Wanindu Hasaranga's remarkable ascent from 7th in November 2022 to the pinnacle of the all-rounders' table in 2024 signifies a significant milestone. Meanwhile, stalwarts like Shakib Al Hasan, Sikandar Raza, and Mohammad Nabi have maintained their positions within the top five.
However, beyond the top 10, the landscape has witnessed seismic changes. Roston Chase of West Indies has experienced a staggering rise, elevating his rank by 233 places, underlining his growing influence and impact. Afghanistan's burgeoning talent Azmatullah Omarzai has made a notable entry into the top 50 through stellar performances, reflecting his promising potential.
Angelo Mathews, marking a remarkable resurgence with his return to the T20I fold earlier this year, has climbed an impressive 157 places to secure the 38th position. His resurgence underscores the enduring nature of talent and determination in the dynamic realm of cricket.
Shifting FortunesShifting Fortunes: Notable Changes in All-Rounder Rankings
| Player | Rank in 2024 | Rank in 2022 | Change in Rank |
|---------------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|
| Roston Chase | 35 | 268 | 233 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 45 | 217 | 172 |
| Angelo Mathews | 38 | 195 | 157 |
| Kushal Malla | 33 | 182 | 149 |
| Imad Wasim | 12 | 122 | 110 |
The journey of all-rounders in the rankings has been marked by significant shifts, with several players making notable progress over the past two years.
Roston Chase has undergone a remarkable transformation, surging from 268th place in 2022 to the 35th spot in 2024, marking an impressive rise of 233 ranks. His consistent performances have catapulted him into the spotlight, showcasing his versatility and value to the team.
Azmatullah Omarzai, a rising star from Afghanistan, has made a striking entry into the top 50, ascending from 217th to 45th place, marking a notable advancement of 172 ranks. His emergence highlights the depth of talent in emerging cricketing nations.
Angelo Mathews, amidst a resurgence in form and fitness, has climbed 157 places to secure the 38th position in the rankings. His return to prominence underscores his enduring class and contribution to the team's success.
Kushal Malla's impressive rise from 182nd to 33rd place, marking a substantial gain of 149 ranks, reflects his growing stature as a dependable all-rounder, capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball.
Imad Wasim, known for his all-round prowess, has surged by 110 places to secure the 12th position in the rankings. His consistent performances have cemented his status as a vital asset to his team's success in all formats of the game.
Imad WasimImad Wasim: A Remarkable Ascension in Rankings
Imad Wasim stands out with the most remarkable change among the top 15, ascending 110 places following his return from retirement earlier this year. The Pakistan all-rounder has been on a prolific trajectory since 2023, amassing 15 wickets in 14 T20Is while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.14. His absence from the squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup seems a distant memory now, as Wasim has reaffirmed his value with consistent performances. Notably, he also notched his sole half-century in the format last year, further cementing his status as a pivotal figure in Pakistan's T20 setup.
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