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CNN-News18 Indian of The Year: Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, nominees in the Sports category included India’s Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker, Swapnil Kusale, PR Sreejesh, and cricketer Smriti Mandhana
Jasprit Bumrah was also recently named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2024 after his sensational performance during the recent tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (PTI)
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded Sportsperson of The Year at CNN-News18’s prestigious Indian Of The Year Awards 2024 which celebrates exceptional achievements of Indians who are inspiring the world through their triumphs.
Apart from Bumrah, nominees in the Sports category included India’s Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker, Swapnil Kusale, PR Sreejesh, and cricketer Smriti Mandhana.
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2024 awards honoured individuals in seven categories: Entertainment, Sports, Youth Icon, Business, Climate Warrior, and Social Change.
The jury for this edition comprised environmental activist Afroze Shah, former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve and former Supreme Court judge Indu Malhotra.
The selection process was a mix of both jury and public voting; with 50% of the decision-making power given to the audience, and the remaining 50% is entrusted to the jury, striking a balance between collective choice of the masses and the discerning eye of experts.
Bumrah was also recently named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2024 after his sensational performance during the recent tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Leading India’s attack single-handedly, Bumrah relentlessly kept Australian batsmen under intense pressure, claiming 22 wickets in three Tests in December last year at an outstanding average of 14.22. He ended with 32 wickets in the five-match series which concluded on January 5.
Bumrah’s brilliance was evident from the very start, with a standout performance in Adelaide. His four-wicket haul was instrumental in minimising Australia’s lead in the first innings, keeping India within striking distance.
He followed this up with a sensational display in Brisbane, where his six wickets in the first innings dismantled Australia’s batting order. Bumrah added three more scalps in the second innings to complete a nine-wicket match haul. His efforts ensured the rain-affected match ended in a draw, keeping India alive in the series.
The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne saw Bumrah deliver yet another stellar performance. He picked up four wickets in the first innings, providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre bowling effort by the Indian team. He then secured a five-wicket haul in the second innings, bowling Australia out for 234. Despite his heroics, India’s batting faltered, resulting in a 184-run defeat.
India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3. In a challenging tour for the Indian team, Bumrah emerged as the lone warrior, earning him the Player of the Series Award.
