India’s ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024. With a staggering 71 wickets in 13 matches, bowling 357 overs at an average of 14.92, Bumrah delivered one of the finest performances in Test cricket history. His achievements make him only the fourth Indian bowler to claim over 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, joining legends Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev. This outstanding feat saw him surpass stiff competition from England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook, as well as Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, to claim the prestigious honor.
Consistency Across Conditions
Bumrah’s brilliance shone both at home and abroad, playing a pivotal role in keeping India in contention for the 2025 World Test Championship Final, though the team narrowly missed qualifying for the title match.
Dominating the bowling charts in 2024, India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been crowned ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/h8Ppjo2hrv
— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2025
His stellar year began with a memorable Test victory against South Africa in Cape Town, where Bumrah claimed eight wickets. He followed this up with a dominating performance in India’s 4-1 series win over England, bagging 19 wickets, including a nine-wicket match haul in Visakhapatnam that secured a crucial series-leveling win.
Dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Bumrah’s standout performances reached their peak during the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Over five matches, he scalped an incredible 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.37, earning the Player of the Series award. It was during this series that Bumrah achieved the milestone of 200 Test wickets, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to reach the mark.
Despite India’s 3-1 series defeat, Bumrah’s individual brilliance shone through. His spellbinding performance in Perth, where he claimed eight wickets, including a first-innings five-wicket haul, was instrumental in India’s massive 295-run victory.
Historic Records and Legacy
At 31, Bumrah etched his name in the record books by becoming the only bowler in Test history with a minimum of 200 dismissals to maintain an average below 20 (19.4). His unparalleled consistency and skill make him a cornerstone of India’s Test setup and one of the greatest pacers of his generation.
Bumrah’s ICC award win not only celebrates his individual excellence but also cements his legacy as one of the finest Test bowlers the game has ever seen.
]]>In the Perth Test match, Team India earned widespread praise for their performance, but the narrative took a sharp turn after the Adelaide Test. While India dominated Australia in Perth, their performance in Adelaide fell short in both batting and bowling. The main challenge was the day-night Test format, played with the pink ball, which exposed India’s vulnerabilities.
This was not the first time India faltered in a pink-ball Test. On their last tour of Australia, India suffered a humiliating collapse, being bowled out for just 36 runs in the second innings—their lowest score in Test history. While this time was not as disastrous, the loss highlighted ongoing issues with preparation and adaptability, driven by the policies of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI’s Role in India’s Pink Ball Struggles
Batting and Bowling Missteps
In Adelaide, India’s batting lineup, including stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, struggled against the pace and movement of the pink ball. The bowlers, too, failed to maintain accurate line and length, often bowling outside off-stump, allowing Australian batsmen to score freely. These shortcomings pointed to a lack of familiarity and preparation for the pink-ball format.
Australia has silenced the critics with a crushing win over India in the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Hometown hero Travis Head was man of the match and at the centre of controversy. @Tom_Wilson7 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/lmNtJvLUZf
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) December 8, 2024
Lack of Practice Matches
India’s infrequent exposure to day-night Test matches is a critical factor. Unlike Australia, which has played 12 day-night Tests and lost just one, India has only played five, winning three and losing two. Most of India’s victories came on home soil, while they struggled in away conditions.
Sporadic Pink Ball Matches in India
Timeline of Day-Night Tests
- November 2019: India played their first day-night Test in Kolkata against Bangladesh and won.
- December 2020: The second pink-ball Test, played in Adelaide, ended in a heavy defeat.
- February 2021: India defeated England in Ahmedabad in their third day-night Test.
- January 2022: India won their fourth pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.
- 2024: India faced Australia in Adelaide, marking their first pink-ball Test in nearly 32 months.
This timeline reveals long gaps between matches, which hinder players from gaining consistency with the pink ball. During this period, India played several Test series but did not incorporate day-night formats, limiting exposure.
The Domestic Cricket Gap
The lack of pink-ball matches at the domestic level compounds the problem. While India experimented with the pink ball in the 2016 Duleep Trophy, the format was abandoned in subsequent domestic tournaments. Regular use of the pink ball in domestic cricket could help players develop the skills and confidence needed for day-night Tests at the international level.
Conclusion
India’s struggles in pink-ball Tests stem from a combination of poor preparation and inconsistent opportunities. While other teams like Australia have adapted to the day-night format, India’s reluctance to embrace the pink ball—both internationally and domestically—has left its players underprepared. To address these challenges, the BCCI must prioritize incorporating pink-ball matches into domestic tournaments and increase the frequency of day-night Tests in India’s international schedule.
]]>Australia’s Day 2 Performance
At the start of Day 2, Australia resumed their innings at 86/1, with Usman Khawaja dismissed for 13 on Day 1. Nathan McSweeney (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (20) resumed the charge.
- McSweeney and Labuschagne’s Contributions:
McSweeney was caught behind by Rishabh Pant off Jasprit Bumrah in the 37th over, managing 39 runs off 109 balls. Labuschagne added 64 runs off 126 deliveries before being dismissed by Nitish Reddy. - Steve Smith’s Struggles:
Smith had another disappointing outing, scoring just 2 runs before being sent back by Bumrah. - Mitchell Marsh Controversy:
Mitchell Marsh was controversially given out despite appearing not out. He contributed 9 runs. - Travis Head’s Stormy Century:
Travis Head stole the show with a brilliant 140 off 141 balls, showcasing aggressive stroke play. His knock was the backbone of Australia’s total. Contributions from Pat Cummins (12) and Mitchell Starc (18) added valuable runs down the order.
Australia posted 322 in their first innings, with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj picking four wickets each. Nitish Reddy and Ashwin claimed one wicket apiece.
That’s Stumps on Day 2#TeamIndia trail by 29 runs with Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the middle
Updates
https://t.co/upjirQCmiV#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ydzKw0TvkN
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 7, 2024
India’s Struggles in the Second Innings
India’s batting lineup faltered under pressure during their second innings:
- Top Order Collapse:
KL Rahul fell early, scoring just 7 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 off 31) showed some promise but couldn’t convert his start, falling to Alex Carey’s sharp catch. - Middle Order Underwhelms:
Virat Kohli managed only 11 runs, while Shubman Gill, despite a positive start, was dismissed for 28 off 30 balls by Mitchell Starc. Captain Rohit Sharma, batting at No. 6, was dismissed cheaply for 6. - Pant and Reddy Hold the Fort:
By stumps, Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 28, with Nitish Reddy providing support at 15 not out.
Key Takeaways
Australia’s strong first-innings performance, highlighted by Head’s century, has put India on the back foot. The visitors need a remarkable turnaround to stay in contention as Day 3 approaches. With the pitch showing signs of wear, India’s path to a win will be a tough climb.
]]>Indian Team Bundled Out for 180
Winning the toss, India elected to bat first but struggled against Australia’s pace attack, managing only 180 runs in their first innings. The team got off to a disastrous start when Mitchell Starc trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal LBW on the very first ball. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill tried to stabilize the innings with a 69-run partnership for the second wicket before Starc struck again in the 19th over, dismissing Rahul for 37 off 64 balls.
Kohli and Middle Order Fail
Despite his strong record in Adelaide, Virat Kohli managed only 7 runs before falling cheaply. Shubman Gill followed soon after, scoring 31 off 51 balls. Rohit Sharma, batting lower in the order, could only add 3 runs off 23 balls. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant contributed 21 runs, but India’s middle order struggled to build partnerships.
Mitchell Starc Shines with 6 Wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin, making a return to the playing XI, added a quick 22 off 22 balls, while all-rounder Nitish Reddy top-scored with a valiant 42 off 54 deliveries. Mitchell Starc was the star of the day, taking 6 wickets. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland chipped in with two wickets each to wrap up India’s innings.
That’s Stumps on Day 1
Australia trail by 94 runs
Live
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2024
Australia Off to a Solid Start
Australia began their innings cautiously, reaching 86/1 at stumps. The only wicket to fall was Usman Khawaja, who was caught by Rohit Sharma off Jasprit Bumrah for 13 runs. Nathan McSweeney (38*) and Marnus Labuschagne (20*) held their ground, putting Australia in a strong position heading into Day 2.
Australia now looks poised to build a significant lead and put India under pressure in the second Test.
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