Jasprit Bumrah has been named the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, following an extraordinary season that showcased his exceptional skills and consistency as a fast bowler. This accolade marks a significant achievement in Bumrah’s career, as he becomes the first Indian pacer and the fifth Indian overall to receive this prestigious award, joining legends like Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli.
Performance Highlights
In 2024, Bumrah delivered outstanding performances across various conditions:
Wickets: He claimed 71 wickets in just 13 Test matches, making him the highest wicket-taker of the year, significantly ahead of England’s Gus Atkinson, who took 52 wickets.
Bowling Average: Bumrah maintained an impressive average of 14.92, which is remarkable in the current era of high-scoring matches.
Strike-Rate: His strike rate stood at 30.1, indicating his ability to take wickets at crucial moments.
Bumrah’s contributions were pivotal in India’s victories over England and Bangladesh at home, as well as during challenging tours in South Africa and Australia. Notably, he excelled during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where he took 32 wickets in five matches and was named Player of the Series.
Historical Context
Bumrah’s achievement not only highlights his individual brilliance but also places him among the elite bowlers in cricket history. He became only the fourth Indian bowler to take more than 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, joining the ranks of Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev. Additionally, he concluded the year with a record-breaking rating of 907 points in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, making him the highest-rated Indian bowler ever.
This recognition comes on the heels of Bumrah also being awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, further solidifying his status as one of cricket’s premier fast bowlers across all formats.
