Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah recently received the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year award in Dubai, presented by Jay Shah before the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match. Bumrah overwhelmed with nostalgia shared how this honour brought back memories of watching his cricket idols win similar awards during his childhood.

A Dream Year for Bumrah

The year 2024 was nothing short of a dream for Jasprit Bumrah. He was named ICC Cricketer of the Year and took 71 wickets in Test matches last season. His incredible performance also earned him the title of Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Bumrah claimed a total of 86 international wickets in 2024 making him only the fifth Indian to win the prestigious ICC award.

Before the start of the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai, Bumrah received the award from Jay Shah a moment that left him deeply moved. Reflecting on his journey Bumrah said,

“As a child I used to watch my favourite cricketers receive these awards. Today, standing here with this honour feels surreal. Winning the T20 World Cup last year was a very special moment for me. We played a lot of Test cricket and made mistakes but those experiences have taught us valuable lessons that will help us improve in the future.”

Support for Mohammed Shami’s Return

Although Bumrah is currently side-lined from the Champions Trophy due to a back injury, he expressed his happiness at Mohammed Shami's return to the national team. “I'm really happy to see Shami back in the team. He worked hard to overcome his injury and the more matches he plays, the more confident he will become. His presence will also benefit other players in the squad,” Bumrah added.

Bumrah’s Presence in Dubai

On Sunday Bumrah attended the India-Pakistan match at the Dubai stadium. The ICC officially announced his presence, sharing his photo on social media with the caption, “Jasprit Bumrah receives the ICC Cricketer of the Year award and the cap for the ICC Test Team of the Year. He’s also part of the ICC T20 Team of the Year.”

Despite wearing casual jeans and a white shirt Bumrah engaged warmly with his teammates motivating them before the high-stakes match.

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Injury and Road to Recovery

Bumrah has been recovering from a back injury he sustained during the Test series against Australia. This injury has ruled him out of the upcoming Champions Trophy but his focus remains on regaining full fitness and returning stronger to the national team.

Jasprit Bumrah’s journey from a cricket-loving child watching his heroes to standing among them as an award-winning cricketer is truly inspiring. His resilience combined with his support for his teammates showcases his dedication not just to his career but to Indian cricket as a whole.