New Delhi:
As the cricket world bids farewell to 2024, one name stands out for his extraordinary achievements: Jasprit Bumrah. The 31-year-old Indian fast bowler has etched his name in the annals of cricket history with a performance that is nothing short of phenomenal. Bumrah’s 2024 was a year of resurgence, dominance, and records, cementing his status as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation.
A Year of Unmatched Excellence
Bumrah played 13 Tests and 8 T20Is for India in 2024, dismissing an impressive 71 and 15 batters, respectively. This feat is a testament to his hard work and dedication, especially considering his return to the game after a recurring back injury that kept him out for several months in 2022 and 2023.
In the Test arena, Bumrah was unstoppable. He began the year with a stellar performance in South Africa, where he picked up 12 wickets in two Tests, helping India secure a convincing win. This performance earned him the Player of the Series award. Back home, he continued his form against England, taking 19 wickets in four Tests and helping India win the series 4-1. His nine-wicket haul in the second Test at Visakhapatnam not only won him the Player of the Match award but also propelled him to the top of the ICC Test bowler rankings for the first time in his career.
Bumrah’s success was not limited to Test cricket. In the T20 World Cup 2024, he led India’s pace attack with remarkable efficiency, taking 15 wickets in eight matches. His performances against Ireland, Pakistan, and South Africa were particularly noteworthy, with his figures of 3/14 against Pakistan and 2/18 in the final against South Africa being highlights of the tournament. For his outstanding contributions, Bumrah was awarded the Player of the Tournament.
Dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The latter part of 2024 saw Bumrah take his game to new heights during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In the series opener at Perth, he took five wickets in the first innings and three in the second, helping India win by 295 runs. His performances in the subsequent Tests at Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne were equally impressive, with Bumrah finishing the series with 30 wickets in four Tests. This haul has positioned him to potentially break Harbhajan Singh’s record for the most wickets in a Test series between India and Australia if he takes three more wickets in the final Test at Sydney.
Bumrah’s year was capped off with nominations for the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year awards, a recognition of his unparalleled performance in 2024. With 86 wickets in 21 matches, Bumrah has set a benchmark that few can match, solidifying his status as a national treasure and one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
