Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana Named Wisden’s Leading Cricketers in the World for 2024
Indian cricket stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have been named Wisden’s Leading Cricketers in the World for 2024, a prestigious recognition announced in the 2025 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Bumrah received the honor in the men’s category, while Mandhana was recognized as the leading woman cricketer, marking a landmark achievement for Indian cricket.
Bumrah’s 2024 was exceptional across formats. He took 71 Test wickets at an average of 14.92, the most wickets by any bowler in a calendar year at such an economy. He became the first bowler to reach 200 Test wickets at an average below 20, an unprecedented feat. His match-winning spells included dismantling England’s top order and delivering crucial performances in India’s T20 World Cup victory, where he was named Player of the Tournament with 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.17. His leadership cameo as stand-in captain in Perth also drew praise.
Smriti Mandhana set a new record by scoring 1,659 international runs in 2024—the highest ever by a woman in a calendar year. Her tally included four ODI centuries and a commanding 149 in a Test against South Africa. Mandhana also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden Women’s Premier League title and topped the T20I run charts with 763 runs.
This dual recognition highlights India’s growing prominence in world cricket, celebrating two of its most influential players.