Jasprit Bumrah Wins ICC Test Cricket Of The Award 2024 (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com)
The longest format of cricket is always interesting. As the format witnessed some of the great cricket talents across the globe, some of the Indian players conquered the big stage. As 2024 wrapped up, the ICC unveiled its Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year – Jasprit Bumrah. With that incredible achievement, the legendary Indian bowler unlocked one more milestone of his glorious career.
With that, Jasprit Bumrah became the 6th Indian player to win the ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year award, joining a prestigious list of five cricketing legends. In this article, we will explore who are the other five Indians who won this prestigious record.
6. Jasprit Bumrah (2024)
After having a remarkable year in 2024 in the longest format, Jasprit Bumrah once again made India proud and won the ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year 2024. In the longest format, Bumrah secured 71 scalps in just 13 Test matches and topped the chart as the leading wicket-taker of the format in 2024.
Jasprit Bumrah started off the year with sensational performances, grabbing 19 wickets in the home series against England. But the cricket world witnessed the prime form of him in the recently ended Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite India’s defeat, he ended the Test series securing 32 wickets. That was a phenomenal performance by the bowler.
5. Virat Kohli (2018)
In the cricket world, Virat Kohli doesn’t need any introduction. Over the years, the Indian great showcased his excellence in the longest format. In 2018, he won the prestigious ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year for his incredible contribution to the longest format of that year.
In an unforgettable year, he featured in 13 Tests, amassing 1322 runs at an impressive average of 55.08, including five centuries and five half-centuries. He started the year with an incredible century against South Africa playing a knock of 153 runs. Later he scored 2 centuries against England, one against Australia, and the other one against West Indies.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin (2016)
Over the years, India produced several spin legends, but Ravichandran Ashwin stands in the first row with some legends. Known for his exceptional pin magic. The Indian spinner won the ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year in 2016 for his valuable contribution in the longest format of the game.
In that year, he played 12 matches and secured 72 crucial scalps. But along with showcasing bowling excellence, the Indian spinner scored 612 Test runs in that year. His incredible contributions earned him the prestigious honor, solidifying his role in the longest format.
3. Virender Sehwag (2010)
Known for batting brilliance and attacking style, Virender Sehwag is an all-time legend of Indian cricket. Even in Test cricket, he entertained fans with T20-like thrills. In 2010, he earned the ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year award for his exceptional contribution in the longest format.
In a stellar year, Sehwag lit up the Test arena with 1422 runs in 14 matches, including five centuries and eight half-centuries. He started the year with two thrilling centuries against South Africa and scored another 2 against Sri Lanka. In November 2010, Sehwag played an incredible knock of 199 against New Zealand and recorded his fifth century of the year.
2. Gautam Gambhir (2009)
Current Indian coach and former Indian cricketer, Gautam Gambhir is a huge asset of Indian cricket. In 2009, he won the ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year award for his extraordinary contribution in the longest format.
In that year, he played just 5 Test matches and scored 727 runs with four centuries and one half-century. He started the year with an incredible century against New Zealand. In that series, he secured another century against the Kiwis. He then added two more brilliant centuries against Sri Lanka in that year.
1. Rahul Dravid (2004)
Rahul Dravid, ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket known for his brilliance in the game was the first Indian player to win the prestigious ICC Test Cricketer Of The Year award in 2004. In that year, he played just 5 Test matches for India and scored 803 runs with 2 centuries and three-half-centuries.
In a jaw-dropping display of consistency, he finished the year with a staggering batting average of 100.37. He scored his first Test century in that year against Pakistan, where he smashed an epic 270-run innings. Against Bangladesh, he scored his second Test century of the year.