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The cricket.com.au website has announced its Test XI of 2024, a prestigious selection highlighting the year's top performers in Test cricket. A notable aspect of this selection is the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah as captain, a testament to his exceptional bowling and leadership abilities. Bumrah, who has already captained India in two Test matches, led the team to victory in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy match in Perth, showcasing his all-round prowess with an eight-wicket haul. This win marked a significant turnaround for India after a 0-3 series whitewash loss to New Zealand, their first Test series defeat in twelve years. Bumrah's inclusion as captain, alongside only one other Indian player, Yashasvi Jaiswal, underscores his individual achievements and the team's performance despite facing setbacks.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's selection is richly deserved, reflecting a phenomenal year for the young opener. His astonishing 1478 runs in 15 matches, including three centuries (two of which were double centuries) and eleven fifties, speak volumes about his consistent performance and aggressive batting style. Notably, his 712 runs in five matches against England at home, including two double centuries, were a significant highlight. His adaptation to Australian conditions further impressed, with 359 runs in eight innings at an average of 51.50, featuring a masterful 161 at Perth. This performance set new benchmarks, with his run tally being the highest by an Indian opener in a calendar year and his 36 sixes a world record, surpassing the achievements of legends like Virender Sehwag and Brendon McCullum.
The remaining members of the Test XI represent a blend of established and emerging talents from across the cricketing world. Joe Root's inclusion is unsurprising, given his consistent run-scoring prowess. He topped the run charts with 1556 runs, achieving two notable milestones: becoming England's highest century-maker (36) and surpassing Alastair Cook as England's highest Test run-getter (12,972). His remarkable consistency, highlighted by six centuries and five fifties, solidified his place among the cricketing elite. Other standout performers include Ben Duckett, who embodies England's 'Bazball' approach with his aggressive batting style and impressive run tally, and Harry Brook, whose consistent performance, particularly his away record averaging 80.00, cements his status as a rising star.
The team also showcases the abilities of all-rounders like Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand, who contributed significantly to New Zealand’s first-ever series win against India, and Kamindu Mendis from Sri Lanka, who had a Bradman-esque year, reaching 1000 Test runs within 13 innings. Alex Carey from Australia, excelling as both a wicketkeeper-batsman and displaying consistent performance behind the stumps, completes the batting lineup. The bowling attack, led by Bumrah, includes other world-class bowlers such as Matt Henry from New Zealand, whose wicket-taking ability was instrumental in New Zealand’s landmark series win against India. Josh Hazlewood's remarkable economy rate, despite injury concerns, and Keshav Maharaj's crucial role in South Africa's success, further highlight the diverse talent represented in this prestigious XI.
The selection of this Test XI of 2024 provides a fascinating snapshot of the year's top performers in Test cricket. It celebrates both established legends and emerging stars, showcasing the remarkable talent and competitive spirit across international cricket. The selection process, undoubtedly based on meticulous statistical analysis, provides an objective and compelling perspective on the best players throughout the year. The selection of Bumrah as captain further underlines his status as a leading figure in the world of cricket, not only for his bowling skills, but also for his emerging leadership capabilities.
Source: Jasprit Bumrah Captain, Only 2 Indians Picked As Aussie Media Names Text XI 2024