India has a proud legacy in Test cricket, having produced some of the game’s greatest players, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli, and Anil Kumble to Ravi Ashwin, along with Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. The country has also won the prestigious ICC Test Mace five times in its history.
In recent years, India has made notable strides in adapting to green pitches, significantly enhancing their record in overseas Test matches.
1. Rahul Dravid – 2004
Rahul Dravid made history in 2004 by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. That year, he scored 946 runs in 18 innings at an impressive average of 63, including two centuries and four half-centuries. His standout moment was a career-best 270 runs against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, which helped India win by an innings and 131 runs. Dravid was the inaugural recipient of the award when it was introduced in 2004.
2. Gautam Gambhir – 2009
Gautam Gambhir won the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2009 after cementing his place as a reliable opener for India. He scored 727 runs in five matches at an exceptional average of 90.87, with four centuries and one half-century. Gambhir’s highest score of 167 runs came in a drawn match against New Zealand in Wellington.
3. Virender Sehwag – 2010
Virender Sehwag earned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2010 after a spectacular year, amassing 1422 runs in 14 matches at an average of 61.82. His tally included five centuries and eight half-centuries. Sehwag’s highest score of 173 came against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, showcasing his aggressive style of play.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 2016
Ravichandran Ashwin’s remarkable all-round performance in 2016 earned him the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. The off-spinner claimed 72 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.90, and contributed 612 runs with the bat at an average of 43.71, including two centuries and four half-centuries.
5. Virat Kohli – 2018
In 2018, Virat Kohli won the prestigious award after scoring 1322 runs in Tests at an average of 55.08. He was the top scorer for India during their tough five-match tour of England, making 593 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries. Kohli’s highest score that year was 153 runs in Centurion against South Africa, although India lost the series 1-4.
6. Jasprit Bumrah – 2024
Jasprit Bumrah claimed the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2024 after a sensational year. He took 71 wickets in 13 matches at a remarkable average of 14.92. Bumrah played a pivotal role in India’s success during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, taking 32 wickets in the series and reaching 200 Test wickets at an average under 20.
