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India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah on January 28 was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2024. Bumrah. Bumrah was lethal in Tests and the T20Is in year 2024. While he cherishes the T20 World Cup 2024 title win more than becoming the first Indian bowler to be honoured as ICC Cricketer of the Year, the in-form fast bowler picked England batter Ollie Pope's wicket as his favourite. Recently, Bumrah dismantling the stumps with a yorker to leave Pope bamboozled was shown in Coldplay's concerts. Even Bumrah showed up on their last concert of the tour in Ahmedabad which made the fans go crazy at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
"I've been very happy to play a lot of Test cricket this year, and many wickets have been special. But the one that I took against England at Vizag, the Ollie Pope, was really special because that changed the momentum and everything," he told the broadcasters.
Bumrah's Test and T20I numbers
Bumrah was the highest wicket-taker in Tests in 2024 by far. From 13 Tests, he bagged 71 wickets at an average of 14.92 including five fifers. The only bowler to take more than 50 wickets was England pacer Gus Atkinson with 52 wickets from 11 Tests at an average of 22.15. Despite the series defeat in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Bumrah was named 'Player of the series'.
He was not the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024 but was named 'player of the tourament'. He claimed 15 wickets from eight innings, joint-second most. However, his economy rate of 4.17 runs per over was unmatched.
Bumrah is elated to be in the company of legendary Indian players -- Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli -- who have won the Sir Garfield Sobers award.
"I feel really good. As a youngster, I have seen my childhood heroes winning this great award, so yeah, very happy to be at the 'receiving end'," said the 31-year-old.
Bumrah doubtful for Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, there are question marks over whether Bumrah will be able to play in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He sustained a back spasm during the Sydney Test. The pacer has been named in the Champions Trophy squad but changes can be made till February 11.
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