India's Jasprit Bumrah has been named the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2024 at the prestigious ICC Awards, becoming the fifth Indian cricketer to receive this accolade. The award, named after former West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers, is a testament to Bumrah's exceptional performances in both Test and T20 formats for India. Despite facing a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah has been pivotal in India's recent successes and is expected to be a vital player in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah Named ICC Cricketer of the Year 2024, Honoring Sir Garfield Sobers' Legacy
Background
The ICC Cricket World Player of the Year Award, formerly known as the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, has been presented annually by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the cricketer who has achieved outstanding performances in all formats of international cricket over the past year. The award is named in honor of West Indian cricketing legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who is considered one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.
India's Jasprit Bumrah Receives Prestigious Accolade
Jasprit Bumrah, India's ace fast bowler, has been crowned the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2024. He becomes the fifth Indian cricketer to receive this prestigious accolade, following in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Rahul Dravid (2004), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2008 and 2009), and Virat Kohli (2017 and 2018).
Bumrah has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in world cricket. His exceptional pace, skill, and consistency have played a crucial role in India's recent successes in both Test and T20 formats.
Key Performances
Despite a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah has been a standout performer for India. In the past year, he has taken 56 wickets in 15 Tests and 42 wickets in 22 T20Is. His wicket-taking abilities and ability to bowl lethal yorkers have made him a feared opponent for batters worldwide.
Legacy of Sir Garfield Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers, the award's namesake, was known as a complete cricketer who excelled as a batsman, bowler, and fielder. He made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1954 and went on to become one of the most iconic figures in the sport.
Sobers was renowned for his all-round skills. As a batsman, he scored 8,032 runs in 93 Test matches with an average of 57.78. As a bowler, he took 235 wickets with an average of 34.03. His 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 remains the highest individual Test score.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why is the award named after Sir Garfield Sobers? A: The award is named after Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, who excelled in all formats of the game.
2. Who was the first recipient of the award? A: Sir Richard Hadlee of New Zealand was the inaugural recipient of the award in 1989.
3. Which country has produced the most ICC Cricket World Player of the Year winners? A: Australia, with seven winners, has produced the most ICC Cricket World Player of the Year winners.
4. Which Indian cricketer has won the award the most times? A: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the award twice, in 2008 and 2009.
5. What is the eligibility criteria for the award? A: The award is open to all players who have played international cricket during the past year. The nominees are selected by a voting panel consisting of ICC representatives, journalists, and former players.
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