Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in cricketing history by winning the prestigious ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 award. He also became the first Indian pacer to claim the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, following an exceptional year filled with stellar performances in Tests, T20Is, and ICC tournaments.
Bumrah’s remarkable year
T20 World Cup 2024: Playing a key role in India’s championship run, Bumrah picked up 15 wickets at an astonishing average of 8.26. His standout performances in the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament honor as India defeated South Africa in the final.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Bumrah’s bowling brilliance was instrumental in India’s success, with a staggering 32 wickets in the series.
Test Cricket Excellence: Bumrah dominated the format, taking 71 wickets in 13 matches, the highest by any bowler in 2024.
Fifth Indian to Win the Sir Garfield Sobers Award
Bumrah has joined the ranks of Indian cricketing legends who have won the award — Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
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Bumrah’s achievements highlight the growing dominance of Indian cricket on the global stage, especially in fast bowling—a field traditionally dominated by other nations.
Expressing his joy, Bumrah said: “I am really happy to be winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Men’s Cricketer of the Year award. Last year was really memorable, especially winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados. It will always be close to my heart.”
He also acknowledged how, as a youngster, he admired many of his cricketing heroes winning this award, calling it a dream come true to receive the honor himself.
Recovery and Future Goals
Currently recovering from a back niggle sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah is gearing up for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February, where he will once again aim to shine for Team India.
This milestone cements Bumrah’s legacy as one of the finest pacers in the history of cricket and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.
