Bumrah’s Spectacular Performance in 2024
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s star fast bowler, has been named the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, and for good reason. Bumrah played 13 Test matches throughout the year, bowled 357 overs, and took an impressive 71 wickets at an average of just 14.92. With this remarkable achievement, Bumrah joins the ranks of India’s cricketing legends like Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev. He has now become the fourth Indian bowler to take more than 70 wickets in a single calendar year in Test cricket. Bumrah’s exceptional performance helped him beat out contenders like Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis and England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, making him the deserving winner of this prestigious award. His outstanding contributions, both in India and abroad, have been crucial to India’s progress throughout the year. While India didn’t make it to the 2025 World Test Championship final, Bumrah played an instrumental role in pushing the team close to it.
Bumrah kicked off 2024 with a memorable performance in Cape Town, helping India secure a historic Test win against South Africa, where he took eight wickets. This set the stage for an incredible year, and he quickly followed up with another dominant display in India’s 4-1 series victory over England. During this series, Bumrah claimed 19 wickets, with a standout performance in Visakhapatnam where he took nine wickets in a single match.
Dominating the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
One of Bumrah’s career-defining performances came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. Over five Test matches, he picked up 32 wickets at an outstanding average of 13.06, with a strike rate of 28.37. His incredible efforts earned him the Player of the Series award. During this series, Bumrah also crossed the 200 Test wickets mark, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to achieve this feat. One of the highlights of his performance came in Perth, where he claimed eight wickets, including five in the first innings, leading India to a massive 295-run victory.
Bumrah’s Legacy and Impact
With this well-deserved recognition, Bumrah has solidified his place as one of the greatest fast bowlers in Indian cricket history. His brilliant performances throughout 2024 highlight not just his skill but also his leadership and resilience in the fast-bowling department. Bumrah’s remarkable year has raised the bar for Indian pacers and confirmed his position among the top Test bowlers in the world.
