Year-ender 2024: Jasprit Bumrah has taken 71 wickets from 13 Tests at a mind-blowing average of 14.92 in 2024. Bumrah was player of the series in T20 WC 2024.
2024 has been the year of India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has outshone his contemporaries with exceptional performances, particularly in red-ball cricket. Bumrah has consistently dismantled opposition batting units across continents, proving equally effective on home turf and in challenging away conditions. His ability to take wickets with the new ball, the old ball, and even the second new ball has drawn widespread admiration, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest pacers in cricket history.
Here’s a closer look at Bumrah’s phenomenal year.
Jasprit Bumrah Leading Test bowling charts in 2024
Jasprit Bumrah has been in sensational form this year, claiming 71 wickets in 13 Tests at a remarkable average of 14.92. Among pacers with 40 or more wickets in 2024, only New Zealand's Matt Henry comes close, averaging under 20. Bumrah’s dominance extends to his five-wicket hauls, as he has taken five fifers this year—the most by any bowler. Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya follows him with four fifers, underlining Bumrah’s unmatched consistency and impact in Test cricket.
Here are the top five Test bowlers in 2024
Players | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | 5w/10w |
Jasprit Bumrah | India | 13 | 71 | 14.92 | 5/0 |
Gus Atkinson | England | 11 | 52 | 22.15 | 3/0 |
Shoaib Bashir | England | 15 | 49 | 40.16 | 3/0 |
Matt Henry | New Zealand | 9 | 48 | 18.58 | 3/0 |
Ravindra Jadeja | India | 12 | 48 | 24.29 | 3/1 |
Bumrah bags Player of the Series award in 2024 World T20
Jasprit Bumrah did not feature in any ODI matches this year but spearheaded the bowling attack during India’s triumphant World T20 campaign in the West Indies in July. Playing all eight T20Is in the tournament, he claimed 15 wickets at an exceptional average of 8.26.
His most impactful performance came in the final, where he delivered a decisive spell, taking two crucial wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs. Returning for his second spell during the death overs with the match slipping away, Bumrah bowled brilliantly, conceding only six runs and claiming a wicket in two overs, turning the game in India’s favor. His phenomenal contributions earned him the well-deserved Player of the Series award.
Read More: Jasprit Bumrah breaks the 200-wicket barrier in Tests, becomes fastest India pacer to this milestone
Bumrah rules Test cricket in 2024
Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance has been on full display this year, starting with his exceptional performance in South Africa, where he claimed eight wickets in the Cape Town Test in January. However, his most lethal display has come in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has already taken 30 wickets in just four Tests at an astonishing average of 12.83 across eight innings.
The next best India bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has 16 wickets in the series, underscoring the significant gulf between Bumrah and his support bowlers. Bumrah has been mesmerizing to watch, consistently threatening to take a wicket with every delivery, as Australian batters have struggled to score off him or protect their wickets.
Bumrah walks into record books
During the series, Bumrah has etched his name in history as the only bowler in Test cricket to average below 20 while claiming 200 wickets.
Bowlers who averages 20 or below in Test
Player | Team | Average | Runs conceded |
Jasprit Bumrah | India | 19.56 | 3912 |
Joel Garner | West Indies | 20.34 | 4067 |
Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 20.39 | 4077 |
Bumrah has fourth-best strike rate to 200 Test wickets
Bumrah also has the fourth-best strike rate among bowlers to take 200 Test wickets. Here’s the complete list.
Players | Team | Strike Rate | Balls Bowled |
Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 38.6 | 7725 |
Dale Steyn | South Africa | 39.2 | 7848 |
Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 40.7 | 8154 |
Jasprit Bumrah | India | 42.4 | 8484 |
Bumrah is go-to man for captain Rohit
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy underscored India's and captain Rohit Sharma's heavy reliance on Jasprit Bumrah. Whether it was providing crucial breakthroughs with the new ball or returning to dismantle partnerships with the older one, Bumrah was Rohit's go-to weapon. However, the underperformance of India's support bowlers forced Rohit to overuse Bumrah in multiple spells to break stands and stall Australia's momentum.
At times, Rohit was compelled to turn to weaker fifth and sixth bowling options just to preserve Bumrah for another spell or to unleash him with the second new ball. This was evident in the Melbourne Test's second innings, where Bumrah was repeatedly brought back for short spells as India struggled to break the stubborn last-wicket stand.
Bumrah prospers in non-favourable home conditions as well
Bumrah's skills with the ball are well-suited to Australia's conditions, but much of his success comes from his ability to maximize those advantages. However, Bumrah is far from being reliant solely on favorable pitches or conditions to trouble the opposition. Over time, he has evolved into a bowler capable of picking wickets anywhere, under any circumstances.
A prime example of his mastery was the first innings of the Visakhapatnam Test against England. Despite the pitch offering little assistance to pacers, Bumrah showcased his brilliance, taking 6 wickets for just 45 runs and paving the way for an Indian victory. His spell turned the series on its head, helping India level the contest 1-1 before eventually clinching it 4-1. However, his magic could not be replicated during the 0-3 home loss to New Zealand, where he managed only 3 wickets across 2 games.
Praise not enough for Bumrah’s magic this year
Bumrah’s performances in Tests this year have been nothing short of herculean, as he continues to establish a formidable aura in the longest format of the game. In the Melbourne Test, Sam Konstas momentarily got the better of Bumrah, smashing a six—the first the pacer had conceded in three years. However, Bumrah had the last laugh, dismissing Konstas in the next innings with a brilliant inswinger that showcased his exceptional skill and determination.
Former Aussie opener Justin Langer heaped praise on Bumrah, stating, “Every time he comes to Australia, he proves he is a superstar. Every time he bowls, the Australian dressing room sits on the edge of their seats, just praying that he finally has an off day!"
Commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said, “There's just no weakness this man has. It's almost like he is this genie that Indian cricket has brought as a gift and you make a wish and you get it.”
Even Australian captain Pat Cummins couldn’t help but praise Bumrah. He said, “Obviously, a really good bowler in great form. You know, he's been their most influential player. He's made it difficult for us at times.”
Can Bumrah repeat his magic once again at Sydney?
India will need the in-form Jasprit Bumrah to continue his magic in the Sydney Test, a must-win game for Rohit Sharma and his men to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the World Test Championship final. However, to maximise Bumrah's impact, India must provide him with strong backup support, ensuring he remains fresh for every spell and continues to terrorize the opposition batters with every delivery.
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