5. Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)

2024 Stats: Matches: 13; Runs: 436; Strike-rate: 180.17

Around a year or two ago, Sanju Samson was always under the cricket spectators' radar as deserving of a spot on the international side. Though he did have a lean patch, and many of them were backing him, the same wanted him to leave his wicketkeeping spot.

And this year was all about his bat doing the talking. In the 2024 calendar year, Samson has struck one half-century and three centuries, implying his swashbuckling calibre and how he can play a pivotal role in bolstering the batting attack. His three centuries have come up against Bangladesh and South Africa in three T20I matches consecutively. By this, he became the third-highest century scorer for the Indian side, only after Rohit Sharma (5) and Suryakumar Yadav (4).