Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC Men's Player of the Month award

Bumrah celebrates the fall of a wicket with teammates (Pic: AFP)

Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was on Tuesday nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for December 2024 after his standout performance against Australia in the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the month of December, Bumrah took 22 wickets in the three Tests at a phenomenal average of 14.22 and overall, the 31-year-old finished with 32 wickets across five Tests.

Laid low by back spasm, Bumrah could not bowl on the spiciest wicket of the series as India failed to defend a small 162-run target to lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade.

Such was Bumrah's impact on the series that the Australians heaved a sigh of relief when they realised that the injured pacer would not be taking the field. Khawaja was one of the worst sufferers through the long series. Bumrah, who took 32 wickets in the rubber at an average of 13.06 and was named the Player of the Series, dismissed the batter six times.

His standout spells included nine wickets in both the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests, which played a pivotal role in keeping India in competition.

Competing with Bumrah for the award is Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who guided Australia to 3-1 series win over India, and South African seamer Dane Paterson.

Pacer Cummins showcased fine form, claiming 17 wickets across three Tests against India at an average of 17.64.

His best bowling performance came in Adelaide, a sensational 5/57, which helped the hosts secure a commanding 10-wicket victory.

Cummins also contributed with the bat through crucial knocks of 49 and 41 in Melbourne.

Paterson's bowling efforts against Sri Lanka and Pakistan were crucial in the Proteas' successful campaign.

He took 13 wickets in two Tests at an average of 16.92 as SA sealed a place against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final later this year.