Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was honoured with the BCCI’s Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (2023–24) in the men’s category, while the elegant batter Smriti Mandhana claimed the corresponding honour in the women’s category.

Bumrah, who was named the ICC Test and overall Cricketer of the Year for delivering a “masterclass in skill, precision, and relentless consistency” in 2024, was India’s standout bowler over the past year. He played a pivotal role in India’s home victories against England and Bangladesh.

Bumrah has emulated Virat Kohli after winning the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year after delivering stellar performances in 2024. He also became the first Indian pacer to win the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award, playing a crucial role in India’s success in the home Test series against England and Bangladesh. Additionally, he was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup triumph.

Bumrah edged out tough competition from Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook to claim the Sir Garfield Sobers Award. He is now the fifth Indian to receive the honor, following Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018). Furthermore, Bumrah was also named the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, having been India’s standout performer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he picked up 32 wickets.

Mandhana, the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, amassed 743 runs in the 2024 calendar year. She registered four ODI centuries—a record in the women’s game—and struck the boundary over a hundred times, tallying 95 fours and six sixes.

The 28-year-old’s ODI runs came at an impressive average of 57.86 and a strike rate of 95.15.

Tune In