Jasprit Bumrah Named Best Test Cricketer, Smriti Mandhana Named Best Women ODI Player
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been named the ICC Test Player of the Year 2024. He is the sixth Indian cricketer to achieve this feat. Bumrah was chosen for this prestigious award over other contenders like England's Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis.
Recently, Bumrah completed 200 wickets in Test cricket. In 2024, he was the best bowler in Test cricket, taking 71 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.16, which is the best performance by any bowler in the traditional format. ICC had considered his match-turning spell in Perth as one of his most memorable performances, which helped India win by 295 runs.
During the last calendar year, Bumrah had his best performance yet, claiming 71 wickets, making him the most successful bowler in the format. Whether playing in conditions favorable to fast bowlers in South Africa and Australia, or challenging conditions at home, Bumrah delivered consistently impressive performances throughout the year. His best performance came during India's tour of Australia.
With 71 wickets, Bumrah became the fourth Indian bowler to take over 70 wickets in a calendar year, joining the ranks of Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev.
Previous Indian Players Who Have Won This Award
Before Bumrah, Indian cricketers such as Rahul Dravid (2004), Gautam Gambhir (2009), Virender Sehwag (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2018) had also won this prestigious award. However, Bumrah is the first Indian fast bowler to be named the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year.
Bumrah had been struggling with a back issue during the fifth Test match against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and as a result, he was not selected for India's T20 series against England, nor was he a part of the initial two matches of the ODI series. It is also uncertain if he will play in the third ODI. Furthermore, Bumrah has been selected in the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, but his participation in the tournament will depend on his fitness.
Board Congratulates Bumrah
On Bumrah being named Best Test Cricketer, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated him. The board wrote on X, “Game changer Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year 2024. Bumrah took 71 wickets at an amazing average of 14.92, becoming the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2024.”