India's legendary speedster Jasprit Bumrah was named ICC Men's Player of the Month for December 2024 after his iconic performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. Bumrah ended the five-Test match series against Australia as the highest wicket-taker with 32 scalps. The speedster picked up 22 wickets at an outstanding average of 14.22 in three Test matches between India and Australia played in December. The first Test match of the five-match series was played in November and the fifth Test match was played in January.
He picked up a nine-wicket haul in Brisbane Gabba and a five-wicket display in Melbourne as he edged out Australian skipper Pat Cummins and South African Dane Paterson for the award, stated the ICC. Bumrah becomes the first bowlers to take 200 Test wickets at an average below 20.
Bumrah was the best performer in the five-Test match series as he started the series with an eight-wicket haul in the first Test played in November.
The speedster was India's standout performer in the Adelaide Pink Ball Test with a four-wicket haul. He followed this up with a sensational display in Brisbane, where his six wickets in the first innings dismantled Australia's batting order. Bumrah added three more scalps in the second innings to complete a nine-wicket match haul. Bumrah's iconic performance ensured the rain-affected match ended in a draw.
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The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne saw Bumrah deliver yet another stellar performance.
He picked up four wickets in the first innings, providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre bowling effort by the Indian team.
He then secured a five-wicket haul in the second innings, bowling Australia out for 234. Despite his heroics, India's batting faltered, resulting in an 184-run defeat.
India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3. In a challenging tour for the Indian team, Bumrah emerged as the lone warrior, earning him the Player of the Series Award.