Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a major contender in the 2024 ICC Cricketer of the Year awards, receiving multiple nominations. The Indian fast bowler has been shortlisted for two prestigious categories: the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for Men’s Cricketer of the Year, the highest honour in the annual awards, and the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year. His exceptional performances across formats in 2024 have made him a standout nominee.
Bumrah’s competition in the Sir Garfield Sobers Award category includes England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, both of whom have had significant contributions over the year. In the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year category, Bumrah faces similar competition from Brook and Root, who have also been in stellar form. However, former India off-spinner R Ashwin, among others, has expressed his belief that Bumrah is the frontrunner for the Test honour, given his remarkable performance in the longest format. If Bumrah wins the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, he will join an exclusive group of Indian cricketers, becoming the fifth to win this coveted prize, after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Virat Kohli (2017 and 2018), and R Ashwin (2016).
Bumrah’s 2024 performances have been nothing short of sensational. In the T20 World Cup, he was instrumental in India's triumph, claiming 15 wickets at a staggering average of 8.24, helping India secure their first ICC title in 13 years under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. His performances in Test cricket have also been career-defining. Bumrah finished the year with 71 wickets in 13 Test matches, making him the highest wicket-taker among his peers, solidifying his place as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series, Bumrah was outstanding, claiming 30 wickets in four matches — a figure that was 10 more than the next-highest bowler, Australian captain Pat Cummins. His dominant display helped India maintain its supremacy in the series and further cemented his legacy as a top-tier fast bowler. Bumrah also made history as India’s captain, leading the team to a significant victory in his second Test match as leader. In the opening Test against Australia in Perth, Bumrah’s leadership and lethal bowling performance guided India to a massive 290-run victory.
Aside from Bumrah’s nominations, India has three other players nominated in various categories for the ICC Awards 2024. Arshdeep Singh has been nominated for the Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award, while Smriti Mandhana is a nominee for Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year. Additionally, Shreyanka Patil has been nominated for Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
The nominations for the ICC Awards were drawn up by a specialist panel of cricket writers and broadcasters, who selected the nominees based on their on-field performances and overall contributions to international cricket throughout the calendar year. The winners of the ICC Awards 2024 will be announced towards the end of January 2025, and the outcome will surely be eagerly awaited by cricket fans worldwide.
