Dubai (National Times): Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah arrived in Dubai ahead of the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash, where he received multiple prestigious accolades at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a picture of Bumrah posing with his awards, celebrating his dominant performances in 2024. The Indian fast bowler was honored with:
- ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
- ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
- ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year
- ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year
A Stellar 2024 for Bumrah
Bumrah’s 2024 season was nothing short of phenomenal, making him one of the greatest bowlers of the modern era. Despite missing the ongoing Champions Trophy due to a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January, his impact on Indian cricket remains undeniable.
His absence from the tournament has led to Harshit Rana stepping in as his replacement, but Bumrah’s legacy continues to dominate cricketing discussions.
Bumrah’s Historic Achievements
The pacer had a remarkable year, excelling across all formats:
- Test Cricket: 71 wickets in 13 matches at an incredible 14.92 average, including five five-wicket hauls and a best of 6/45.
- T20 World Cup 2024: Led India to glory with 15 wickets at 8.26 average, winning the Player of the Tournament award.
- Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Despite India’s 3-1 series loss to Australia, Bumrah was outstanding with 32 wickets in five matches at 13.06 average, securing three five-wicket hauls and breaking multiple records.
- IPL 2024: Even in a disappointing season for Mumbai Indians, he was the top wicket-taker for his franchise, claiming 20 wickets in 13 matches.
Bumrah finished as the leading wicket-taker in international cricket for the year, with 86 wickets in 21 matches at an astonishing 13.76 average.
His heroics have not gone unnoticed, earning him top honors including BCCI’s Best International Men’s Cricketer of the Year Award alongside the ICC accolades.
IND vs. PAK Clash: A High-Stakes Encounter
As India and Pakistan locked horns in Dubai, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
With Bumrah sidelined, India will look to their bowling attack to step up in this must-win clash. However, his presence in Dubai serves as a reminder of his lasting impact and the void his absence leaves on the field.
