The ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award for 2024 has found its rightful owner—India’s Jasprit Bumrah. The fast-bowling maestro had a dream year, picking up 71 wickets in 13 matches, bowling his heart out over 357 overs, and maintaining a jaw-dropping average of 14.92.
Bumrah’s incredible haul makes him just the fourth Indian bowler to take over 70 Test wickets in a single calendar year, joining the elite company of Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, and Ravichandran Ashwin. And it wasn’t just about the numbers—he beat stiff competition from Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis and England’s stars Harry Brook and Joe Root to claim the prestigious award.
Bumrah’s Magical 2024
From South Africa to Australia, Bumrah delivered unforgettable performances, proving his mettle across conditions. He was instrumental in keeping India’s hopes alive for a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship Final, even though the team narrowly missed out.
Cape Town Heroics
The year began with a bang in Cape Town, where Bumrah picked up eight wickets in India’s memorable Test win against South Africa. It was a sign of the dominance to come.
Decimating England
Bumrah didn’t slow down. When India faced England in a crucial series, he picked up 19 wickets as India clinched the series 4-1. The highlight? A stunning nine-wicket haul in Visakhapatnam that helped India level the series and set the tone for the remainder of the matches.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Masterclass
But Bumrah saved his best for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In a high-stakes series, he was unstoppable, picking up a whopping 32 wickets in five matches. His average? Just 13.06. His strike rate? A ridiculous 28.37. Unsurprisingly, Bumrah walked away with the Player of the Series award.
It was during this series that Bumrah achieved a historic milestone, crossing 200 Test wickets and becoming the 12th Indian bowler to reach the landmark. Although India lost the series 3-1, Bumrah’s spellbinding performances, especially his eight-wicket haul in Perth, left fans and critics alike in awe.
Setting a New Standard
Bumrah didn’t just collect awards—he etched his name into the history books. At 31 years old, he became the only bowler in Test history (minimum 200 wickets) to maintain a bowling average of under 20—an almost unheard-of 19.4. This is what greatness looks like.
The Legacy Continues
Jasprit Bumrah’s 2024 will be remembered as the year he dominated world cricket with precision, passion, and a never-say-die attitude. Whether it was lifting India to series wins or shining in defeats, Bumrah gave fans moments to cherish and records to marvel at.
As fans, we can’t wait to see what Boom Boom Bumrah has in store for us in 2025!
