Jasprit Bumrah named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024

Indian fast-bowling maestro Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 for his extraordinary performances in the red-ball format. Returning to Test cricket in late 2023 after a prolonged absence due to a back injury, Bumrah delivered a stellar year that cemented his status as one of the greatest Test bowlers of his generation.

Bumrah’s impact was pivotal in India’s success both at home and overseas, as he spearheaded their bowling attack to series wins against England and Bangladesh on home soil, and South Africa and Australia away. His dominance in 2024 saw him finish as the year’s leading wicket-taker, with 71 dismissals in Test matches. This achievement placed him well ahead of England’s Gus Atkinson, who claimed 52 wickets in 11 matches.

Bumrah bowled an exhausting 357 overs during the year, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.92 and an exceptional strike rate of 30.1. His consistency in a fast-paced era of Test cricket was underscored by his economy rate of 2.96. These numbers made Bumrah only the fourth Indian bowler in history to take more than 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, following legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev. Notably, none of the 17 bowlers who have achieved this milestone globally have done so with an average as low as Bumrah’s.

Bumrah’s outstanding year began with India’s eight-wicket victory over South Africa in Cape Town, where he claimed eight wickets across two innings. He followed this with 19 wickets during the five-Test home series against England, which India won 4-1. However, his most defining performances came during the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Series in Australia.

In the five-match series against Australia, Bumrah amassed 32 wickets and was named Player of the Series. It was during this series that he achieved the milestone of 200 Test wickets, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to do so. Moreover, Bumrah set a unique record by becoming the only bowler in Test history with a minimum of 200 wickets to maintain an average below 20 (19.4).

One of his most memorable performances came in the series opener in Perth, where India, without regular skipper Rohit Sharma, relied on Bumrah’s leadership. After India was dismissed for just 150 on the opening day, Bumrah’s fiery spell of 5/30 shifted the game’s momentum. In the second innings, he added 3/42 as India secured a historic 295-run victory, handing Australia their first-ever defeat at the venue.

Bumrah’s dominance throughout 2024 not only propelled India into contention in the ICC World Test Championship but also etched his name in cricketing history. His contributions, marked by consistency, skill, and an unwavering competitive spirit, make his achievements one of the standout highlights in the sport for the year.