Jasprit Bumrah, Annabel Sutherland Win ICC Player Of The Month Awards For December 2024

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Australian women's team all-rounder Annabel Sutherland won the men's and women's Player Of The Month awards for December 2024, respectively.

Australian captain Pat Cummins and South African pacer Dane Paterson was in contention in the men's category along with Bumrah. Smriti Mandhana and South African spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba contested in the women's category alongside the Indian batter.

The Indian pacer finished with 32 wickets in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskat Trophy. He picked these wickets at an average of 13.06. In December 2024 alone, Bumrah picked up 22 wickets at an average of 14.22. The lead India pacer also won the Player of The Series award in the Test series, despite India losing the series 3-1. Now he might miss the Champions Trophy with injury concerns.

After winning the award, Jasprit Bumrah spoke about his performances in the series. He is now the Indian bowler with the most wickets in a Test series against Australia. Apart from taking the wickets, he also led India in two Test matches in Perth and Sydney. India won the Perth Test under his captaincy.

One Of The Closely-Fought Contests Ever: Jasprit Bumrah

"I am thrilled to be named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for December. It is always humbling to be chosen for individual accolades, and it is always nice to be recognized for your efforts. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was one of the most closely fought contests ever, and it was an honor for me to go out there and perform for my country," Bumrah told the ICC.

Jasprit Bumrah is also the top-ranked bowler as per the latest ICC Test rankings. He finished with 71 wickets in the format in 2024 at a stunning average of 14.92 in 13 matches, including five five-wicket hauls. It is arguably one of the best performances by an Indian bowler in Test cricket in a calendar year.

Bumrah is also ranked the No.1 Test bowler in the world as per the latest ICC rankings. He finished with the most Test wickets (71) in 2024 at a stunning average of 14.92 in 13 matches, including five five-wicket hauls.

Talking about Annabel Sutherland, who gave an all-round performance in the ODI series against India and New Zealand in December. She scored 269 runs at an average of 67 and picked up nine wickets across five games. She played a big hand in Australia clean sweeping New Zealand and India.