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

A total of six Indian cricketers have won ICC Men’s Test Cricketer Of the Year award.

India have a rich history in test cricket. The nation has been blessed with some of the greatest players to grace the game from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble to Ravi Ashwin and Zaheer Khan to Jasprit Bumrah among others. The Asian giants have also clinched the ICC test mace five times in their history.

In the recent years, India have also made significant progress in playing on green pitches, which has greatly improved their record in overseas tests.

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

On that note, let’s take a 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.

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

1. Rahul Dravid – 2004

Rahul Dravid made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2004.

Dravid had a memorable run in 2004, scoring 946 runs in 18 innings at an average of 63. His impressive tally that year included 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, Rahul Dravid 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 won the award in 2009. After making his test debut in 2004, Gambhir quickly established himself as a dependable opener in the Indian team.

He scored 727 runs in five matches in 2009 at an impressive average of 90.87. His tally included four centuries and one half-century.

His highest score of 167 runs that year came against New Zealand in a drawn contest at 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 flamboyance, Sehwag scored 1422 test runs in 14 matches in 2010 at an average of 61.82.

His impressive tally included five centuries and eight half-centuries. His highest score that year was 173 runs off 199 balls, which came against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 2016

One of India’s greatest spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, had a remarkable run in 2016 in test cricket. The off-spinner led India’s attack with 72 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.90.

Additionally he also contributed with 612 runs with the bat during the year at an average of 43.71 including 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 scored 1322 test runs that year at an average of 55.08.

Kohli was the top scorer for India in the tough five-match tour of England, making 593 runs in 10 innings, including two brilliant centuries. However, unfortunately, India lost the series 1-4.

His highest score that year came against South Africa in Centurion, where he made 153 runs in the first innings.

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 played a key role in keeping India in the hunt for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, taking 32 wickets in the series. He also reached the 200-wickets mark in test cricket in 2024, doing so at an average of under 20!

(All stats are updated till 27th January 2025)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.