Indian cricketers to win ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year Award

India possesses a profound legacy in Test cricket. The country has been fortunate to have some of the most exceptional players in the sport's history, including Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble, Ravi Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, and Jasprit Bumrah, among others. Additionally, the Asian powerhouse has secured the ICC Test mace five times throughout its history.

In recent years, India has made considerable advancements in performing on green pitches, which has greatly enhanced their record in overseas Test matches. 

While the team always comes first in any team sport, individual awards often serve as motivation for players to put in the hard yards.

In this article, let’s look at the list of Indian cricketers who have won the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award since its inception in 2004.

1. Rahul Dravid – 2004

Rahul Dravid etched his name in history by being the first Indian recipient of the esteemed ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2004. During that remarkable year, Dravid accumulated a total of 946 runs across 18 innings, achieving an average of 63. His noteworthy performance featured two centuries and four half-centuries.

Dravid’s career-best knock of 270 runs came against Pakistan in Rawalpindi that year, helping India win the match by an innings and 131 runs. Notably, he was the first ever cricketer to win the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award when it was launched in 2004.

2. Gautam Gambhir – 2009

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir received the award in 2009. Having made his Test debut in 2004, Gambhir swiftly proved himself to be a reliable opener for the Indian cricket team.

In 2009, he scored a total of 727 runs across five matches, achieving an impressive average of 90.87. This performance featured four centuries and one half-century. His top score of 167 runs for that year came in a drawn match against New Zealand in Wellington.

3. Virender Sehwag – 2010

Gambhir’s opening partner Virender Sehwag is next on the list for winning the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year Award in 2010. Known for his dynamic playing style, Sehwag scored a total of 1,422 runs in 14 Test matches during 2010, at an average of 61.82.

His remarkable tally included five centuries and eight half-centuries. The pinnacle of his performance that year was a score of 173 runs from 199 balls, which came against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 2016

Ravichandran Ashwin, recognized as one of India's premier spinners, delivered an exceptional performance in Test cricket during the year 2016. The off-spinner spearheaded India's bowling efforts, claiming 72 wickets across 12 matches with an impressive average of 23.90.

He also made a contribution with the bat, scoring 612 runs over the year at an average of 43.71, which included two centuries and four half-centuries.

5. Virat Kohli – 2018

Modern-day great Virat Kohli received the prestigious award in 2018. Known for his fighting spirit, Kohli amassed 1,322 runs in Test matches during that year, achieving an impressive average of 55.08. His highest score that year came against South Africa in Centurion, where he made 153 runs in the first innings.

Kohli emerged as the leading run-scorer for India during the challenging five-match series in England, accumulating a total of 593 runs across 10 innings, which featured two exceptional centuries. Regrettably, India concluded the series with a defeat, losing 1-4.

6. Jasprit Bumrah – 2024

Jasprit Bumrah joined the list by winning the award in 2024. He had a memorable year, which saw him take 71 test wickets in 13 matches at an average of just 14.92.

Bumrah was instrumental in maintaining India's pursuit of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, claiming 32 wickets throughout the series. Additionally, he achieved the milestone of 200 wickets in Test cricket in 2024, accomplishing this feat at an average of less than 20.

Cover Credits - ICC Official