The fast bowler of the Indian cricket team, Jasprit Bumrah, has been conferred with the esteemed Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024. He raced off to triumph over fellow nominees Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook – being the 5th cricketer of India, after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018). “Across formats, Bumrah’s 2024 exploits were a masterclass in skill, precision, and relentless consistency, as he smashed record upon record and confirmed himself as the world’s number-one fast bowler,” the ICC website read. “The current No.1 ranked bowler in the ICC Test Rankings became India’s fastest-ever pacer to achieve 200 Test wickets with a bowling average under 20-the greatest in history.”
One of the statements made regarding Bumrah winning the prestigious award mentioned, “The brilliance of Bumrah was illustrated on the grand stage of the ICC Test Bowling rankings, where he crossed the elusive mark of 900 points, finishing up to a record-breaking 907 points by the end of the year-the highest an Indian bowler has ever attained.
An unforgettable year for the irrepressible Jasprit Bumrah, who claims the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for 2024 ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zxfRwuJeRy
— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2025
Bumrah has averaged just 14.92 which is totally exceptional in the year since returning to the long format late in 2023 after a back injury-ridden year of recovery, being ranked first in the world. He was instrumental in keeping India alive in their ICC World Test Championship chase before falling short.
“Bumrah was the key Manu that stood as the highest bowler for this period, excelling both at home and away, and was a key contributor in keeping India in contention in the ICC World Test Championship standings,” said the ICC in a press release.
Bumrah was declared the world’s best Test player, having beat finalists Harry Brook and Joe Root; and, more importantly, ICC’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year, Kamindu Mendis. He is the first Indian player to achieve this feat since Virat Kohli in 2018.
Before Kohli, off-spinner R Ashwin was awarded as the Test Cricketer of the Year in 2016.
“I am deeply honored to receive the ICC men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. Test cricket, for me, has always been a format I hold dear in my heart, and to receive an acknowledgment on this grand platform is actually quite special,” said Bumrah in a media release.
“This award, I believe, reflects not just my personal endeavors but those of my teammates, coaches, and fans who have been relentless in supporting and motivating me at every turn. To represent India is a privilege that I hold in the deepest of my considerations, and knowing my efforts put smiles on people’s faces around the world makes this journey all the more special,” he added.
