It was double delight for India at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Awards 2024 as Jasprit Bumrah was crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, with compatriot Smriti Mandhana sealing her second ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
Bumrah claims the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award after a sensational year with the ball saw him take 71 wickets in the longest format at a staggering average of just 14.92.
'Game Changer' Jasprit Bumrah is awarded the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 š„š„
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 27, 2025
Bumrah took 71 wickets at a stunning average of 14.92, finishing as the highest wicket taker in Test cricket in 2024.#TeamIndia | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/WHUciUK2Qb
The 31-year-old returned his best Test haul in 2024, taking 19 more than his nearest rival and consolidating his position as the number one ranked bowler in the ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings.
A landmark year saw him grab the headlines with sensational wicket-taking spells in Tests against South Africa, England, Bangladesh, and more recently in Australia, where he led the wicket-takers in a Player of the Series display down under.
Bumrah overcame fellow nominees England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, plus ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year Kamindu Mendis, to win the award, becoming the first Indian cricketer since Virat Kohli in 2018 to do so.
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, Jasprit Bumrah, said: “I am deeply honored to receive the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. Test cricket has always been a format I hold close to my heart, and to be recognized on this platform is truly special.
“This award is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but also of the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and fans who continue to believe and inspire me every day. Representing India is a privilege I deeply cherish, and knowing my efforts bring smiles to people around the world makes this journey even more special.”
Just like Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana made waves in the 2024 season with her magnificent batting performances in One-Day Internationals. She won her first ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award since 2018 after a stellar year in which she amassed 747 runs at an average of 57.46.
Congratulations to @mandhana_smriti, who has been adjudged ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year.
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 27, 2025
She scored 4 centuries and 3 half-centuries in 13 matches at an average of 57.46.
Keep soaring high, Smriti š«”š«”#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/jlBJfKKXrY
The Indian opener continues to thrive on the international stage and ended the year with more runs and centuries than any other player, passing three figures in sublime knocks against New Zealand, Australia, and in back-to-back contests against South Africa.
The 28-year-old triumphed in a hotly contested category, seeing off South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, and 2023’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.
ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Smriti Mandhana, said: “It’s been an absolute honour to win the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024. I remember how special it was to have won this award in 2018 for the first time. It had fuelled my ambition to do well for my country. And now, having won the award for the second time, it will motivate me even more to strive for excellence.
“It is an immense joy and a matter of pride to represent my country at the highest level, and it makes me happy to play a role in helping the team succeed. I want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches, and family, who have been my absolute pillars of support.”
