Jasprit Bumrah crowned ICC Men’s test cricketer of the year 2024 – A look at his top notch performance -Bumrah’s 71 wickets made him the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for 2024, surpassing England’s Gus Atkinson, who finished second with 52 wickets from 11 matches. Financial Express

 

Jasprit Bumrah crowned ICC Men's test cricketer of the year 2024 - A look at his top notch performance. (Image: BCCI)

India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, announced on Monday, January 27. Bumrah becomes the sixth Indian to achieve this prestigious honor, following in the footsteps of cricketing legends such as Rahul Dravid (2004), Gautam Gambhir (2009), Virender Sehwag (2010), R Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2018). His incredible performance, which saw him take 71 wickets in 13 Tests, made him a standout player in 2024.

Bumrah’s 71 wickets made him the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for 2024, surpassing England’s Gus Atkinson, who finished second with 52 wickets from 11 matches. This performance also earned Bumrah the distinction of surpassing R Ashwin’s record for the highest ICC Test bowling rating achieved by an Indian bowler.

Stunning bowling economy and average

Across 357 overs in Test cricket, Bumrah maintained an outstanding economy rate of 2.96. His bowling average for the year stood at an extraordinary 14.92, with a strike rate of just 30.1. These figures underline his dominance in the longest format of the game.

Joining the elite 71-wicket club

Bumrah’s remarkable tally places him among an exclusive group of Indian bowlers who have achieved 71 or more wickets in a calendar year, joining legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev.

A historic performance against Australia

One of Bumrah’s standout performances in 2024 came during the series opener against Australia in Perth. With captain Rohit Sharma unavailable, Bumrah led the team to a historic victory. India was dismissed for 150 on the first day, but Bumrah’s sensational five-wicket haul (5/30) spearheaded a remarkable comeback.

India responded with an imposing total, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs. Bumrah once again rose to the occasion, delivering another impactful spell of 3/42. India clinched a dominant 295-run victory, handing Australia their first-ever defeat at the Perth venue. This performance solidified Bumrah’s reputation as a match-winner and leader in critical moments.