Dubai: India pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been honoured as the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, following an extraordinary year in which he shattered records and delivered match-winning performances across the globe.
Bumrah, who returned to Test cricket in late 2023 after a prolonged injury hiatus, showcased phenomenal form in 2024. The 31-year-old scalped 71 wickets in 13 matches at a remarkable average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.1, the best figures among all bowlers with 70+ wickets in a calendar year.
Bumrah’s heroics began in Cape Town, where he claimed eight wickets in India’s commanding victory over South Africa. His brilliance continued in a home series against England, amassing 19 wickets as India clinched the series 4-1.
However, his crowning glory came in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Bumrah’s 32-wicket haul in the five-match series, including a match-winning 8/72 in the series opener at Perth, not only sealed a Player of the Series accolade but also reaffirmed his standing as one of the greats.
In the process, he crossed the 200-wicket milestone in Tests, setting a record for the lowest career bowling average (19.4) among bowlers with a minimum of 200 dismissals.
Bumrah’s leadership skills also shone through as he captained India in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma during the Perth Test. His five-wicket haul in the first innings and his decisive contributions throughout ensured India’s historic 295-run victory at a venue where Australia had never lost before.
Joining the elite club of Indian bowlers to have taken 70+ wickets in a year, alongside legends like Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Bumrah’s 2024 performance was unparalleled. His ability to succeed across conditions—spanning South Africa, Australia, and the subcontinent—highlighted his versatility and class.
This recognition by the ICC cements Bumrah’s place among the pantheon of cricketing greats, furthering India’s legacy in the longest format of the game.
UNI