By Prachi Mishra
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year on Tuesday, cementing his status as one of the most formidable bowlers in modern cricket. The prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy was awarded to Bumrah in recognition of his outstanding performances across all formats in the past year.
On Monday, Bumrah was also honored with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024. Throughout 2024, Bumrah’s exceptional skill and consistency were on full display. He claimed 71 wickets in 13 Test matches, boasting an impressive average of 14.92. This remarkable feat not only underscores his dominance in the longest format of the game but also highlights his pivotal role in India’s cricketing successes during the year.
A significant highlight of Bumrah’s year was his outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In the Melbourne Test, he achieved a nine-wicket match haul, which propelled him to a career-high 907 rating points in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings—the highest ever by an Indian bowler in the history of the sport. This achievement placed him joint-17th in the all-time list, alongside England’s Derek Underwood.
Bumrah’s unique bowling action, characterized by a minimal run-up and a deceptive, late release, has consistently troubled batsmen worldwide. His ability to deliver lethal yorkers and maintain unerring accuracy has made him a formidable opponent in various conditions. Beyond his technical prowess, Jasprit’s mental fortitude and strategic acumen have been instrumental in his rise to the pinnacle of test cricket.
Reflecting on his journey, Bumrah’s ascent is particularly inspiring, given his self-taught background and the challenges he overcame to reach the international stage. His story serves as a testament to determination and passion, inspiring and aspiring cricketers globally.
In acknowledging this prestigious award, Bumrah expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support. He emphasized that cricket is a team sport and credited his success to the collective efforts of the Indian cricket team.
Bumrah joined the elite group of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar , Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli to become only the fifth Indian to have won the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the year.