Indian cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana bring home prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year awards for 2024. Bumrah's sensational performance in the Test format, including his Player of the Series award in Australia, earns him the top honor in the men's category while Mandhana's impressive ODI stats make her a standout in women's cricket. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai is named ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year for his all-round contributions.
Indian Cricket Stars Triumph at 2024 ICC Awards
Indian cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have brought home the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year awards for 2024, becoming the third and fourth Indian players to receive the honor since its inception in 2004.
Bumrah's Test Success Drives Men's Award
Bumrah, India's fast-bowling spearhead, earned the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award after a remarkable run in Test cricket. His exceptional performances helped India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was named Player of the Series with 16 wickets.
"This is a special moment for me and I'm honored to receive this recognition," said Bumrah. "I want to thank my team, my family, and my coaches for their support and belief in my abilities."
Mandhana's ODI Dominance in Women's Cricket
Mandhana, India's star batter, earned the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year award for her exceptional performance in ODI cricket. She topped the ICC Women's ODI Rankings for batters and scored over 1,000 runs in the calendar year, including two centuries.
"It's a privilege to win this award," said Mandhana. "I'm grateful for the support I receive from my team and my country. I hope to continue performing well and contributing to Indian cricket's success."
Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai Wins ODI Recognition
In addition to the Cricketer of the Year awards, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai was named ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year. The all-rounder impressed in 2024 with his consistent performances in the 50-over format.
Background on ICC Awards
The ICC Awards are presented annually by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to recognize the outstanding achievements of cricketers in various formats and categories. The Cricketer of the Year award is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the sport.
Top 5 FAQs about ICC Awards
1. Who was the first Indian player to win the ICC Cricketer of the Year award? Answer: Sachin Tendulkar (2008)
2. How many times has India won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award? Answer: 4 (Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah)
3. Who is the ICC Men's Player of the Decade for 2011-2020? Answer: Virat Kohli
4. Who won the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year award in 2023? Answer: Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
5. What is the eligibility criteria for the ICC Cricketer of the Year award? Answer: Players must have played at least one international match in the calendar year and shown outstanding performance across all formats.
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