Jasprit Bumrah vs....! ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 contenders announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (30th December) announced the nominees for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024. India's Jasprit Bumrah, England's Joe Root, Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis, and England's Harry Brook are the four players who will be fighting for the award.

The top contender for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year is England National Cricket Team batter Joe Root. The premier batter didn't put a foot wrong in Tests this year as he became the leading run-getter for his team in the longest format of the game along with the leading century hitter for the team.

Joe Root slammed 1556 runs at an average of around 56 in 2024

In the 17 Tests that were played in 2024, Joe Root slammed 1556 runs at an average of around 56. This is the second-highest tally for him in Tests in a Year after 1708 runs from 2021. It was also the fifth instance of Root scoring over 1000 Test runs in a calendar year.

Joe Root also hit Test hundreds to go alongside five half-centuries. His memorable performance came during the Test against the Pakistan National Cricket Team in Multan. The premier batter scored his career-best score of 262, and it was his sixth double hundred, joining the likes of Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in the most number of double tons.

Jasprit Bumrah is the second nominee for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year

The second nominee for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year is Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler was nothing short of exceptional for the India National Cricket Team as he single-handedly carried the Indian bowling lineup in the longest format of the game in 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah picked 71 wickets from 13 Tests at an average of 14.92, which speaks a lot about his effort. He ended 2024 as the leading wicket-taker in Tests, and with the kind of impact he made, it won't be a surprise if he ends up winning the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah's memorable performance came in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth. He captained the team in that match and led from the front. He bagged a five-wicket haul in the match and helped the team win. He is also the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing series with 30 scalps to his name.

Kamindu Mendis, Harry Brook nominated for ICC Test Cricketer of the Year

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team batter Kamindu Mendis was the main reason behind the success of his team in Tests in 2024. The batter played 9 matches and ended up scoring 1049 runs at an average of 74.92. He also became the joint-third quickest to score 1000 Test runs - equalling Sir Don Bradman’s 13-innings mark to reach the milestone.

Kamindu Mendis' best performances came in the Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He was the leading run-getter in the series as he scored twin centuries, with his best effort being unbeaten 182 off 250 deliveries in Galle.

Harry Brook is the fourth name on the list of the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year. The England National Cricket Team batter bailed his team out of trouble almost all the time in 2024. In the 12 games that he played, he scored 1100 runs at an average of 55.

His memorable performance came against Pakistan, where he scored 317 off 322 deliveries to go with 29 fours and three sixes. His heroics helped England National Cricket Team win the game by innings and 47 runs.

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