NEW DELHI: India’s cricket stars delivered unforgettable performances last year, securing them nominations for the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024. These exceptional players are set to compete for top honours in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The highly anticipated Cricketer of the Year award will be announced on February 22 at a grand awards ceremony in Lucknow, the renowned ‘City of Nawabs.’
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The assessment period for the awards was from January 1 to December 31, 2024 and the list of award winners was drawn by the eminent TOISA 2024 Jury. Here are the cricketers nominated for TOISA 2024:
Cricketer of the Year – Men
Jasprit Bumrah
Date of Birth: December 6, 1993
Place of Birth: Ahmedabad
Sport: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024
– Part of the 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad
– Crowned ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
– Named in ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year
– Named in ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year
– Leading wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Jasprit Bumrah had a phenomenal year with the ball, carrying India’s bowling attack across formats. Right from the Test series vs England at home, the seamer was at his best and made match-winning contributions. India’s long wait for an ICC title ended when they won the 2024 T20 World Cup and Bumrah picked 15 wickets in the multi-nation event. The best, however, was saved for the last as he rattled Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy and ended the series with 32 wickets. India lost the series 1-3 but Bumrah was named Player of the Series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Date of Birth: December 28, 2001
Place of Birth: Suriyawan, Uttar Pradesh
Sport: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024
– Scored most runs by an Indian opener in a year
– Named in ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year
– Leading run-getter for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Yashasvi Jaiswal had a breakthrough year in Tests as he scored 1478 runs and also hit 36, a new world record in a calendar year. The year started on a high with the Tests vs England at home and the left-hander continued to put a consistent foot forward during the fixtures that followed. In the 15 Tests, the youngster hit three centuries, including two double centuries, and nine half-centuries.
Ravindra Jadeja
Date of Birth: December 6, 1988
Place of Birth: Navagam, Gujarat
Sport: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024
– Part of 2024 T20 World Cup winning squad
– Named in ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year
– India’s leading all-rounder in Tests
The year 2024 was very rewarding for Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder. The left-hander made substantial contributions with both bat and ball, across formats. He was also part of India’s squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. In the home Test series vs England, Jadeja picked 19 wickets and also scored 232 runs at an impressive average of 38.67. The good show continued during home Tests vs Bangladesh and New Zealand and scored a fighting 77 vs Australia at The Gabba.
Rohit Sharma
Date of Birth: April 30, 1987
Place of Birth: Nagpur, Maharashtra
Sport: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024
– Led India to 2024 T20 World Cup title
– Named captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year
– Led India to series wins over England, Bangladesh at home
India’s long wait for an ICC title came to an end during the 2024 T20 World Cup when India beat South Africa in the nail-biting final. Rohit Sharma led from the front and ended as the second highest run-getter in the tournament. For his exploits with the bat and smart leadership, the right-hander was named captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the year. In Tests, India had convincing series wins over England and Bangladesh at home under Rohit’s leadership.
Cricketer of the Year – Women
Smriti Mandhana
Date of Birth: 18 July 1996
Place of Birth: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Sports: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Runners-up in Women’s Asia Cup
– Team Sportswoman of the Year
– ODI Cricketer of the Year
– Led RCB to WPL title in 2024
Born on 18 July 1996 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Smriti Mandhana is one of India’s most accomplished female cricketers. A dynamic left-handed batter, she played a pivotal role in India’s campaign as runners-up in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. Mandhana’s remarkable consistency earned her the ODI Cricketer of the Year award. As the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), she led the team to their maiden WPL title in 2024, cementing her legacy as a leader. Her contributions were also recognized when she was honoured as the Team Sportswoman of the Year. Known for her elegant stroke play, Mandhana continues to be a vital player in India’s batting lineup across all formats.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Date of Birth: 8 March 1989
Place of Birth: Moga, Punjab
Sports: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Runners-up in Women’s Asia Cup
Born on 8 March 1989, Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team and one of the most influential players in the sport. She led India to the final of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup, where they finished as runners-up. As a powerful middle-order batter and an inspiring leader, Kaur remains a crucial figure in India’s international cricket journey. Known for her aggressive batting and ability to turn games single-handedly, she continues to mentor young talents while maintaining her own performance at the highest level. With her experience and leadership, she plays a significant role in India’s aspirations to win global titles, making her one of the most respected figures in women’s cricket.
Deepti Sharma
Date of Birth: 24 August 1997
Place of Birth: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Sports: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Runners-up in Women’s Asia Cup
– Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in WPL 2024
Born on 24 August 1997 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Deepti Sharma is a premier all-rounder for the Indian women’s cricket team. She was instrumental in India’s journey to the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final, helping the team finish as runners-up. In the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL), Deepti was exceptional, winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, highlighting her impact with both bat and ball. A dependable off-spinner and a reliable middle-order batter, Deepti’s versatility makes her indispensable in all formats of the game. Her ability to perform under pressure has consistently made her one of India’s most crucial players, and she continues to be a cornerstone of the team’s success in major international tournaments.
Renuka Thakur
Date of Birth: 2 January 1996
Place of Birth: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Sports: Cricket
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Runners-up in Women’s Asia Cup
Born on 2 January 1996 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Renuka Thakur is a fast bowler known for her ability to swing the ball and take crucial wickets. She played a key role in India reaching the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final, where they finished as runners-up. Her ability to deliver under pressure makes her a crucial asset in India’s bowling attack. With her sharp bowling skills and growing reputation as a match-winner, Renuka is expected to be a key figure in Indian women’s cricket for years to come, continuing to inspire young fast bowlers across the country.