Bumrah’s Remarkable Feat in 2024
India’s ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024. With a staggering 71 wickets in 13 matches, bowling 357 overs at an average of 14.92, Bumrah delivered one of the finest performances in Test cricket history. His achievements make him only the fourth Indian bowler to claim over 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, joining legends Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev. This outstanding feat saw him surpass stiff competition from England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook, as well as Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, to claim the prestigious honor.
Consistency Across Conditions
Bumrah’s brilliance shone both at home and abroad, playing a pivotal role in keeping India in contention for the 2025 World Test Championship Final, though the team narrowly missed qualifying for the title match.
Dominating the bowling charts in 2024, India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/h8Ppjo2hrv
— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2025
His stellar year began with a memorable Test victory against South Africa in Cape Town, where Bumrah claimed eight wickets. He followed this up with a dominating performance in India’s 4-1 series win over England, bagging 19 wickets, including a nine-wicket match haul in Visakhapatnam that secured a crucial series-leveling win.
Dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Bumrah’s standout performances reached their peak during the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Over five matches, he scalped an incredible 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.37, earning the Player of the Series award. It was during this series that Bumrah achieved the milestone of 200 Test wickets, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to reach the mark.
Despite India’s 3-1 series defeat, Bumrah’s individual brilliance shone through. His spellbinding performance in Perth, where he claimed eight wickets, including a first-innings five-wicket haul, was instrumental in India’s massive 295-run victory.
Historic Records and Legacy
At 31, Bumrah etched his name in the record books by becoming the only bowler in Test history with a minimum of 200 dismissals to maintain an average below 20 (19.4). His unparalleled consistency and skill make him a cornerstone of India’s Test setup and one of the greatest pacers of his generation.
Bumrah’s ICC award win not only celebrates his individual excellence but also cements his legacy as one of the finest Test bowlers the game has ever seen.
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