Media365
NEW DELHI: Indian pace maestro Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in cricketing history by being crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024.
This accolade comes after a record-breaking year where Bumrah delivered a career-best performance, cementing his place as one of the greatest Test bowlers of modern times.
Returning to Test cricket in late 2023 after a lengthy hiatus due to a back injury, Bumrah wasted no time regaining his form.
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Throughout 2024, he spearheaded India’s bowling attack in both home and overseas conditions. Whether it was dismantling South Africa in Cape Town or tormenting Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah’s versatility and precision shone through.
Bumrah claimed a staggering 71 wickets in just 13 matches, making him the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for the year.
He maintained an otherworldly average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.1, figures that defy logic in today’s run-heavy era.
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Notably, his efforts included achieving milestones such as crossing the 200-wicket mark, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to reach this landmark with an unmatched average of 19.4—the lowest for any bowler in Test history with a minimum of 200 dismissals.
Bumrah’s heroics were crucial in India’s series victories against England and Bangladesh at home and their remarkable performances overseas in South Africa and Australia.
His standout display came during the high-pressure Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 32 wickets in five matches and was named Player of the Series.
A special effort from the stand-in skipper came in the Perth Test when Bumrah, leading an injury-hit Indian side, produced an iconic 5/30 in the first innings, paving the way for a resounding 295-run victory.
