In 2024, Australia was the best team in Test cricket, staying on top with strong performances. India shined in T20 and ODI cricket, playing with great energy and beating most teams.
The ICC rankings offer a clear insight into how the top cricket teams have performed across all three major formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Here’s a detailed look at the top teams, their performances across formats, key matches, and players who defined the year.
Overview: ICC Rankings Across All Formats (As Of December 2024)
Cricket fans closely follow the ICC team rankings, which serve as a benchmark to determine the best-performing sides across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
These rankings are calculated based on the teams’ performances, number of matches played, and points accumulated over a specific period. Take a look here to know where the teams are standing at the moment.
| Team | Test Ranking | ODI Ranking | T20I Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| India | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| South Africa | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| England | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| New Zealand | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Sri Lanka | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Pakistan | 7 | 3 | 7 |
| West Indies | 8 | 10 | 4 |
| Bangladesh | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Afghanistan | 12 | 8 | 10 |
Disclaimer: the ratings are accurate as per 17 December.
The table above highlights the leading teams and their positions in all formats of cricket. Australia and India continue to dominate across formats, showcasing their depth and consistency, while South Africa and New Zealand remain competitive.
Now have a look at each team and their performance in 2024 in detail.
1. Australia
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 30 | 3715 | 1 |
| ODIs | 42 | 4731 | 2 |
| T20Is | 48 | 12417 | 2 |
Australian cricket team has continued its dominance in world cricket, particularly in Tests, where they hold the No. 1 ranking. Their performance this year reflected their consistency both at home and overseas.
With bowlers like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood leading the attack, Australia remained unbeatable in red-ball cricket. In ODIs, they secured the No. 2 spot, driven by Travis Head and Mitchell Starc. Australia also impressed in T20Is.
2. India
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 33 | 3654 | 2 |
| ODIs | 45 | 5298 | 1 |
| T20Is | 70 | 18747 | 1 |
India dominated across all three formats, finishing 2024 as the No. 1 ODI and T20I team while securing the No. 2 position in Tests. In ODIs, consistent brilliance from Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah led their charge.
India’s T20 success can be credited to their young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh, who played key roles in critical matches. They won the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
3. South Africa
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 27 | 2947 | 3 |
| ODIs | 37 | 3864 | 4 |
| T20Is | 46 | 11345 | 6 |
South Africa made significant strides in Tests, finishing in the No. 3 position. Their pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, was a standout feature.
In ODIs, they maintained a strong position at No. 4 with consistent batting contributions from Heinrich Klaasen and Temba Bavuma. Their T20I ranking slipped to 6th, but the Proteas remained competitive.
4. England
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 46 | 4815 | 4 |
| ODIs | 36 | 3364 | 7 |
| T20Is | 45 | 11497 | 3 |
England continued their post-2015 white-ball resurgence, excelling in T20 cricket, where they hold the No. 3 ranking. Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan led their T20 success, showcasing fearless cricket.
In Tests, England remained strong at No. 4, driven by the Bazball approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. However, their ODI form dipped slightly, leaving them at 7th position.
5. New Zealand
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 33 | 3216 | 5 |
| ODIs | 35 | 3442 | 5 |
| T20Is | 51 | 12578 | 5 |
New Zealand consistently performed across all three formats, holding the 5th position in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Their success came from steady run scoring by Kane Williamson and standout performances from Will Young and Matt Henry.
Recently, they whitewashed India 3-0 in tests and became the first team to do so. While players like Tim Southee are departing, some new talents are coming in and adapting really well in international cricket.
6. Sri Lanka
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 28 | 2436 | 6 |
| ODIs | 55 | 5381 | 6 |
| T20Is | 45 | 10467 | 8 |
Sri Lanka was particularly impressed in Test cricket, where they secured the No. 6 ranking. Dimuth Karunaratne’s leadership, combined with substantial contributions from Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva, helped the team grow.
In ODIs, Sri Lanka performed steadily, finishing in 6th place, while their T20I ranking stood at 8th, showing room for improvement in the shortest format.
7. Pakistan
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 24 | 2060 | 7 |
| ODIs | 33 | 3562 | 3 |
| T20Is | 54 | 12758 | 7 |
Pakistan finished the year as a formidable ODI team, securing the No. 3 ranking with consistent performances from Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. In Tests, they ranked 7th, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling for consistency.
The T20I side, ranked 7th, remained competitive, with young stars like Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah leading the charge.
8. West Indies
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 29 | 2184 | 8 |
| ODIs | 41 | 3185 | 10 |
| T20Is | 57 | 14234 | 4 |
West Indies showed promise in T20 cricket, finishing the year as the No. 4 ranked team. Players like Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell brought explosive performances that kept fans entertained.
In Tests and ODIs, however, the team struggled, finishing 8th and 10th, respectively. Despite challenges, West Indies’ flair in T20 cricket remains a strength.
9. Bangladesh
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 29 | 1884 | 9 |
| ODIs | 46 | 3730 | 9 |
| T20Is | 54 | 12199 | 9 |
Bangladesh remained steady across all three formats, finishing 9th in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. In ODIs, they showed moments of brilliance, with players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim leading from the front.
Their Test performances, although inconsistent, highlighted the potential of emerging talents like Litton Das. Bangladesh’s T20 team, while improving, still has room for growth as they aim to challenge stronger sides.
10. Afghanistan
| Format | Matches Played | Points | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| ODIs | 37 | 3162 | 8 |
| T20Is | 42 | 9322 | 10 |
Afghanistan showed their white-ball dominance, finishing 8th in ODIs and 10th in T20Is. Their ODI performances were powered by the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, along with strong batting from Ibrahim Zadran.
While Afghanistan played fewer Test matches and rank 12th, their growth in shorter formats continues to impress. Their ability to challenge top-tier teams has solidified them as a rising force in world cricket.
Also Read:
Conclusion: Australia Is Currently The Best Cricket Team In The World
The 2024 ICC rankings clearly showcase Australia’s dominance, with India closely following across all formats. Teams like South Africa, England, and New Zealand remain strong contenders, consistently delivering top performances.
As we move into the next season, the competition is set to get even fiercer, promising more thrilling matches and unforgettable performances. Make sure to follow each match closely.
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