Tue Jan 28 16:22:49 UTC 2025: ## Bumrah Bowled Over: Wins Prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year Award
**Dubai, UAE** – Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024, marking a triumphant return to the international stage for the Indian pace sensation. This prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy win is Bumrah’s second major award in as many days, following his Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year accolade on Monday. The win also makes him the first Indian to achieve this feat since Virat Kohli in 2018.
Bumrah, India’s Test vice-captain, dominated Test cricket in 2024, leading all bowlers with an impressive 71 wickets at a breathtaking average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.1. His performance significantly contributed to India’s success throughout the year. He expressed his gratitude, dedicating the award to his country, family, teammates, and those who supported his career.
The awards ceremony also celebrated other cricketing stars. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr secured the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award, winning the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and adding to her Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year title won earlier this week. India also saw success with Smriti Mandhana winning the Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award for the second time, and Arshdeep Singh being named Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year for his vital role in India’s T20 World Cup victory. Other notable winners included Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai (Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year), Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis (Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year), and South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen (Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year). The ICC also announced its Team of the Year selections across various formats.
First Piper 