Tue Jan 28 17:13:01 UTC 2025: ## Bumrah Makes History, Wins ICC Cricketer of the Year
**Mumbai, India (Jan 28, 2025)** – Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024, making history as the first Indian fast bowler to receive the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award. He beat out stiff competition from Travis Head (Australia), Joe Root, and Harry Brook (both England).
The announcement was made Tuesday evening by the ICC. This win marks a remarkable double for Bumrah, who also claimed the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award on Monday. It’s the first time an Indian has won the Sir Garfield Sobers Award since Virat Kohli’s victory in 2018. New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr took home the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award.
Bumrah’s success comes despite only playing two formats of the game in 2024. His outstanding performances in both Test and T20 cricket cemented his place as a leading contender. In the T20 World Cup, he was the Player of the Tournament, taking 15 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 4.17, significantly contributing to India’s World Cup victory after a 17-year drought.
His Test performances were equally impressive. Bumrah played 13 Tests in 2024, claiming 71 wickets, and achieving a 900-rating point milestone in the ICC Test bowler rankings during the Australia tour, solidifying his position as the world’s number one Test bowler. His outstanding contribution to India’s success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia saw him take 32 wickets in 5 Tests, earning him the Player of the Series award. He even captained India to their only win on the tour in Perth.
Bumrah is only the fourth fast bowler to receive the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, joining Dale Steyn (South Africa), Mitchell Johnson, and Pat Cummins (both Australia). He is also the fifth Indian to win the Cricketer of the Year award, following Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Virat Kohli.
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