ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 nominees revealed, no Indians in contention

Four exceptional talents—two from Sri Lanka, one from Afghanistan, and one from the West Indies—have emerged as top contenders for the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday, December 29, unveiled the contenders for the annual award.

The ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year race has intensified with Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis, Afghanistan's rising all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, and the explosive West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford battling it out for the prestigious title.

ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 contenders revealed

These nominated stars have dazzled cricket fans with remarkable performances in ODI cricket across 2014, and fans across the world have 12 days’ time to vote for their favorite player, with the top player to be crowned as the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024.

Wanindu Hasaranga has proven to be an unstoppable force in white-ball cricket, taking 26 wickets at a phenomenal economy rate of 5.36 and an average of 15.61 overs this year in ODI cricket. His incredible journey began in January 2024 when he destroyed Zimbabwe’s batting lineup in Colombo with career-best figures of 7/19 in just 5.5 overs.

His spell reduced Zimbabwe from 43/0 to 96 all out, earning him the Player of the Match title. In February, Hasaranga followed up with a stunning 4/27 against Afghanistan in Pallekele and continued his dominance with six wickets in a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

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The leg-spinner was more magical in August, as the Sri Lankan star claimed 3/58 against India and finished the year with consecutive standout spells against the West Indies, including 4/40 and 2/18.

ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024: Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai nominated

Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has established himself as one of the most dynamic all-rounders in the world, making headlines this year with both bat and ball. In 12 ODI innings, Omarzai scored 417 runs at an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 105.56, as well as scalped 7 wickets at an impressive average of 20.47 for the Afghanistan cricket team in 2024.

Azmatullah Omarzai’s batting brilliance was on full display early in the year, with a stunning 149* off just 115 balls against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. He also shared a remarkable 242-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi. A few days later, Azmatullah followed up with a half-century in the same ODI series, but Afghanistan lost the series to Sri Lanka.

Omarzai played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's historic first-ever ODI series win over South Africa. He made an unbeaten 86* from just 50 balls in the second ODI, followed by a match-winning performance in the third ODI with 70* off 77 balls and 4/37 from 7 overs.

ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024: Kusal Mendis and Sherfane Rutherford also in contention

Kusal Mendis had an outstanding year with the willow for Sri Lanka in 2024, scoring 742 runs in 17 innings at an impressive average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 90.59. His consistency was remarkable, as he struck half-centuries against all six opponents that he faced this year in the 50-over format.

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The seasoned Sri Lankan batter also delivered a career-best performance, scoring 143 runs from 128 balls against New Zealand in November 2024. Mendis started 2024 with scores of 46, 17, and 66* against Zimbabwe in January. He finished the year with impressive knocks, including 56* off just 22 balls against West Indies and 217 runs across two innings against New Zealand.

His 143 against New Zealand in Dambulla, followed by a composed 74* in Pallekele, showcased his ability to dominate with the bat. As a wicketkeeper, Mendis was also exceptional for the Islanders, claiming 19 dismissals in the ODIs this year. Sri Lanka lost only three of their 17 ODIs in 2024, and Mendis played a key role in their success with both bat and gloves in the format.

West Indies’ explosive batter Sherfane Rutherford made a remarkable impact with the willow in the ODI cricket this year. In 2024, Rutherford dominated the format by scoring 425 runs at an average of 106.25 and a strike rate of 120.05.

Sherfane Rutherford, who is known for his power-hitting in T20s, brought that same aggression to ODI cricket, as he started the year with three consecutive half-centuries against Sri Lanka. He scored 204 runs at a strike rate of 107.36 and was dismissed only once. However, the West Indies lost the ODI series 2-1 to Sri Lanka.

Rutherford continued to shine in limited opportunities, making 54 off 36 balls against England. However, his standout performance came in December against Bangladesh, playing a match-winning knock of 113 from just 80 balls to help West Indies take a 1-0 ODI series lead. He ended the Bangladesh ODI series with an unbeaten 24* and a 30, helping the West Indies complete a 3-0 series sweep.