"Don't think there is any doubt" - R Ashwin declares his choice for ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has declared Jasprit Bumrah as his choice for the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024. The 38-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter), stating that there was no doubt about who the winner should be.

While he acknowledged there were some serious cricketers in the nomination list, Ashwin wrote that Bumrah was changing the way cricket was viewed in India.

"Don’t think there is any doubt about who the winner should be. Some serious cricketers in the list but the man at no 1 on the nominee list is changing the way cricket is viewed in India. Booms🤝🤝," his tweet read.

Despite India's defeat in the fourth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Melbourne, Bumrah put up an exceptional display with the ball. He picked up four wickets in the first innings and backed it up with a brilliant five-wicket haul in the second.

Apart from Bumrah, the other players in the nominee list are Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Kamindu Mendis.

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Why did Ashwin pick Bumrah as the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024?

Ashwin has picked Jasprit Bumrah to win the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 award on the back of a phenomenal year by the Indian speedster.

Bumrah has been consistent with the ball throughout the year, picking up wickets irrespective of the opposition and conditions. He is the highest wicket-taker in Tests this year (2024).

The Indian pacer has accounted for 71 wickets from 13 matches at an incredible average of 14.92 and economy rate of 2.96. He has maintained a strike-rate of 30.16, having bowled 357 overs in all.

He is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing BGT as well, grabbing 30 wickets from four matches at an average of 12.83, including two four-wicket and three five-wicket hauls.