Jasprit Bumrah has been named Cricket Australia’s Test Team Captain of the Year for his outstanding performance in 2024. India’s pace spearhead has delivered a jaw-dropping 71 wickets in just 13 matches at an average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.16. These figures highlight his dominance as one of the most prolific bowlers in modern cricket.
Cricket Australia heaped praise on Bumrah, saying: “This is one of the greatest years in bowler history. Not since Dale Steyn’s 74-wicket haul in 2008 has a pacer bowled so much, and not since Imran Khan’s 62 victims in 1982 has he bowled at such an astonishing rate.”
An amazing year with the ball
Bumrah’s exploits were not limited to a single series. He tormented Australia with 30 wickets in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is considered one of the best tours by a visiting bowler. Back home, he dismantled England’s batting line-up, taking 19 wickets on a surface where other seamers struggled.
As Cricket Australia noted, “Bumrah cleaned up England on their home pitch, with all the other seamers roaming the park unhelpfully.”
His consistency and influence throughout the year gave him leadership responsibilities, a role he accepted successfully during India’s win in Perth.
Yashasvi Jaiswal shines brightly
Joining Bumrah in the XI is India’s batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young opener has shown maturity beyond his years, scoring 1,478 runs in 15 games at an average of 54.74. With three centuries and nine fifties, Jaiswal ended the year as the second-highest scorer in Test cricket.
Jaiswal scored two successive centuries against England to secure India’s home series win, while his brilliant 161 in Perth played a pivotal role in India’s victory Down Under. His 36 innings in a year set a new global benchmark for Test cricket.
Cricket Australia described him as “India’s bright young batting star who played with the poise and class of a veteran”.
Notable omissions and global representation
Australia’s Pat Cummins took 37 wickets in nine matches at an average of 24.02 but failed to make the cut. Instead, his teammates Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood represented the hosts in the XI.
The line-up also included standout performers from across the world of cricket, such as England’s Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Harry Brook. Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry of New Zealand; Kamindu Mendis of Sri Lanka; and Keshav Maharaj of South Africa.
Cricket Australia’s Best Test Team 2024:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)
- Ben Duckett (England)
- Joe Root (England)
- Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
- Harry Brooke (England)
- Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
- Alex Carey (Australia) (wicketkeeper)
- Matt Henry (New Zealand)
- Jasprit Bumrah (India) (captain)
- Josh Hazelwood (Australia)
- Keshav Maharaj (South Africa)
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