The year 2024 saw some astounding performances with the ball from bowlers across the cricketing globe. Cricket witnessed masterful spells, from the relentless pace of T20Is to fiery performances in ODIs, and tactical mastery in the Test format. Several bowlers rose to the occasion and delivered exceptional displays. This article will look at the leading wicket-takers across formats in 2024.
Leading wicket-taker in each format (2024):
ODIs: Deepti Sharma – 24 wickets
Deepti Sharma had an outstanding year with the ball in 2024, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the ODI format with 24 wickets in 13 matches. Known for her control in the middle overs, Deepti’s remarkable performances were key to India’s success, especially in their home series against South Africa, where she starred with 6 wickets, including a match-winning 2/27 in the third ODI, earning her the Player of the Match award. Her most memorable performance came in the final ODI against the West Indies, where she registered her 2nd ODI 6-fer, returning figures of 6/31, once again claiming the Player of the Match accolade. With an economy rate of 4.49, Deepti proved to be an invaluable asset for India, constantly breaking partnerships and providing crucial breakthroughs throughout the year.
T20Is: Henriette Ishimwe – 50 wickets
The experienced 21-year-old all-rounder has represented Rwanda in 98 T20I matches and remained a key player for her team in 2024. Across 33 T20I games, she claimed 50 wickets at an impressive average of 8.44 and an excellent economy rate of 4.03. Her best figures of 5/17 included two four-wicket hauls. Notably, in the prestigious Kwibuka Women’s Twenty20 Tournament, she emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker, delivering her career-best figures of 5/17 against Uganda in June.
TESTS: Nonkululeko Mlaba – 11 wickets
It was a record-breaking year for South African spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. In the one-off Test against India in June 2024, Mlaba claimed just one wicket at Chennai, a match played on a surface that heavily assisted spinners. However, she showed her true brilliance in South Africa’s only Test against England. In the first innings, she finished with impressive figures of 4/90, emerging as one of the top bowlers. She returned stronger in the second innings, claiming a sensational six-wicket haul (6/67). This performance not only marked her best-ever figures in an innings but also set a new record for the best bowling figures in a Test match for South Africa.
Loves all things female cricket
