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Published : Dec 27, 2024 12:21 IST – 3 MINS READ
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The biggest highlight of 2024 was witnessing India lift the Men’s T20 World Cup live in Barbados — a truly surreal moment. It was the perfect finale to a remarkable campaign during which Rohit’s team not only embraced but fully embodied its commitment to playing aggressive white-ball cricket.
However, the initial celebrations were somewhat overshadowed by the looming threat of Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm expected to pass by Barbados the following night. India’s team, staying at the Hilton Hotel, had originally planned to charter a flight home immediately after its victory. Unfortunately, the closure of the airport forced the players and support staff to remain in Barbados as they awaited safer travel conditions.
Sportstar’s Ayan Acharya
This reporter, however, managed to leave the island on one of the last flights from Grantley Adams International Airport before it was shut down. While there was undeniable relief at having avoided an imminent natural disaster, a strange sense of disappointment lingered upon landing in Mumbai. The reason? News broke that colleagues who had been stranded in Barbados were now flying back on the same chartered flight as the victorious Indian team — a once-in-a-lifetime experience missed by the slimmest of margins.
Despite the less-than-ideal scheduling dictated by broadcasters, the Caribbean islands that this reporter visited pulsed with an unmistakable energy. This tournament had a palpable presence on the ground: billboards, posters, and enthusiastic locals all contributing to an electric atmosphere. As I navigated the islands, I was consistently met with a warm and inviting “Here for the cricket?” — a question that seamlessly segued into rich conversations about the nuances of the modern game, as well as nostalgic reminiscences about the halcyon days of West Indies cricket, when legends like Malcolm Marshall, Vivian Richards, and Clive Lloyd ruled the pitch.
But 2024 wasn’t just about cricket — it was also about discovery. For this reporter, a month-long assignment in the Caribbean meant he was left craving the comforts of home-cooked food. That’s why stumbling upon Doubles, Trinidad’s iconic street food, was a revelation. With a perfect combination of Indian and Caribbean flavours — chickpeas meshed together in a rich blend of spices and decked between two deep-fried flatbreads — Doubles is nothing short of magic! Whether devoured at breakfast, lunch, or as a late-night snack, it will leave you craving more.
Undeniably, the crescendo of Indian cricket’s Caribbean conquest was the most exhilarating experience of my year. It was a truly transcendent experience, one that I feel privileged to have witnessed firsthand.
What to expect in 2025
The curtains should draw on the illustrious Test careers of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with a fresh-faced India taking the centre stage in Test cricket.
At the top of the order, Shubman Gill is primed to take Rohit’s place, forming a formidable partnership with the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul, with his wealth of experience, is likely to occupy the crucial No. 3 spot. Meanwhile, the talented Sarfaraz Khan is in contention to take the No. 4 position, at least in home Tests, where his aggressive style can flourish.
In the spin department, the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin has created a void, but Washington Sundar is ready to step up and seize the opportunity. Although he’ll have to wait until October 2025 to prove his mettle in the series against the West Indies, Sundar’s all-round skills make him an exciting prospect for the future.
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