India’s Remarkable Year in ODI Cricket: Unveiling the Golden 2023
In the realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, India’s performance in 2023 was nothing short of extraordinary. While much of the talk may have revolved around their loss in the World Cup final, it’s essential not to overlook the tremendous heights they reached throughout the year. Despite the format’s existential crisis and the limited number of ODIs scheduled for India in 2024, the numbers they achieved in 2023 are truly remarkable. Let’s delve into the statistics that solidify India’s golden year in ODIs.
Unmatched Number of Wins
India’s dominance in 2023 is evident from their impressive win record. Out of the 35 ODIs played, they emerged victorious in 27 matches, marking the second-highest number of wins by a team in a calendar year in the ODI format. Only Australia’s outstanding performance in 2003, with 30 wins out of 35 games, surpasses India’s remarkable achievement.
Mastering the Art of Batting First
India’s prowess in setting targets was on full display in 2023. They won 14 matches while batting first, with an average margin of 143 runs, the highest by any team winning at least ten ODIs in a calendar year. This exceptional performance far exceeded the previous record set by Australia in 2007 and South Africa in 2015, who both achieved three wins with a margin of 200+ runs.
Dominating Run Chases
Not only were India formidable when setting targets, but they also excelled in run chases. They won 13 matches while chasing, with an average margin of 96 balls to spare, ranking third among teams that won at least ten ODIs in a calendar year. This ability to comfortably chase down totals showcases India’s strength in all aspects of the game.
A Year of Record-Breaking Performances
India’s 2023 campaign was marked by several record-breaking performances. In their third ODI against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, they secured a mammoth 317-run victory, the highest margin in ODIs, and the first time a team won with a 300+ run margin in the history of the format. This exceptional feat was repeated during the World Cup when India defeated Sri Lanka by 302 runs at the Wankhede.
Out of their 14 wins while batting first, five were by a margin of 200+ runs, comfortably surpassing the previous record of three held by Australia in 2007 and South Africa in 2015. Furthermore, India achieved an incredible nine totals of 350+ runs, setting a new record for a team in a calendar year, surpassing England’s previous record of seven in 2019. Overall, they crossed the 300-run mark in 11 out of the 19 games they batted first, falling just one short of England’s tally in 2019.
Batting Brilliance
India’s batsmen were in scintillating form throughout 2023, scoring a record-breaking number of hundreds and amassing impressive individual statistics. A total of 19 hundreds were scored by Indian batters, matching their own record from 2017 and equaling the joint-most for a side in a calendar year. The standout performance came from Virat Kohli, who scored six centuries. Notably, in the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in ODI cricket and became the first batter to reach the milestone of 50 ODI centuries.
The leading run-scorer for India in 2023 was Shubman Gill, who accumulated 1584 runs in 29 innings at an average of 63.36 and a strike rate of 105.45. His exceptional performance ranks him seventh on the list of most runs scored by a player in a calendar year in ODIs. Gill’s contribution was closely followed by the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, who all played vital roles in India’s success.
Unleashing the Power of Sixes
India’s batting lineup was not only about accumulating runs but also about hitting boundaries with sheer power. In 2023, they smashed a staggering 250 sixes, becoming the first team to reach this landmark in a calendar year in ODIs. Their tally exceeded South Africa’s 225 sixes, the previous record set in 2019 by the West Indies.
On two occasions, India equaled their highest tally of sixes in a single ODI innings. They hit 19 sixes against New Zealand in Indore and later matched that feat in the World Cup semifinal at Wankhede. These displays of power-hitting were reminiscent of their performance against Australia in Bengaluru in 2013 when they also hit 19 sixes.
Rohit Sharma: The Six-Hitting Maestro
Rohit Sharma, India’s formidable opener, showcased his prowess in hitting sixes throughout 2023. He smashed an incredible 67 maximums out of India’s total of 250 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes by an individual batter in a calendar year. This feat surpassed AB de Villiers’s record of 58 sixes in 2015. In addition to this, Rohit surpassed Chris Gayle’s records for the most sixes across formats in international cricket, the most sixes in World Cups, and the most sixes in a single World Cup edition.
Formidable Opening Partnerships
India’s opening partnerships in 2023 were a force to be reckoned with. Their aggregate of 2281 runs for the first wicket is the second-highest by a team for a particular wicket in a calendar year. Only their record of 2506 runs for the second wicket in 1999 surpasses this achievement. Out of the 35 opening stands, India had an impressive 20 partnerships that crossed the 50-run mark, the most by any team for a particular wicket in a calendar year. The duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill contributed significantly to this success, accumulating 1523 runs, the second-highest tally for a pair in a calendar year in ODIs.
Unleashing the Bowling Fury
India’s bowling attack in 2023 left a lasting impact on the game, taking wickets at an unprecedented rate. Their bowlers claimed a total of 289 wickets, the highest by any team in a calendar year, surpassing their previous record of 286 wickets in 1998. With a strike rate of 27.4 balls per wicket, they set a new benchmark for a side that played a minimum of 20 matches. Their average of 23.34 runs per wicket was marginally bettered only by Pakistan’s performance in 1999.
A Plethora of Five-Wicket Hauls
India’s bowlers demonstrated their skill and versatility by achieving an impressive eight five-wicket hauls in 2023. This feat surpasses the previous record of six held by Pakistan in 1990, Australia in 2004, and Sri Lanka in 2008. These exceptional performances showcased India’s ability to dismantle opposition batting lineups and turn the tide of matches in their favor.
Leading Wicket-Takers
Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack in 2023, claiming an outstanding 49 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 20.48. He was closely followed by Mohammed Siraj, who took 44 wickets in 25 matches, and Mohammed Shami, who claimed 43 wickets in 19 matches. Shami’s exceptional performance during the World Cup, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker despite not featuring in the initial four games, further solidified his reputation as a world-class bowler. His figures of 7/57 in the World Cup semifinal are now the best for an Indian bowler in ODIs.
Dominating Opponents
India’s bowlers had a field day in 2023, often bowling out their opponents for low totals. On four occasions, they bowled out their opposition for below 100 runs, with Sri Lanka at the receiving end of three such instances. This achievement surpassed the previous record of three occurrences held by West Indies in 1993, South Africa in 2006, and Sri Lanka in 2007. India also bowled out their opponents within the 30-over mark on seven occasions, setting a new record for a team in a calendar year, surpassing Sri Lanka’s previous record of four instances in 2007.
Conclusion
India’s performance in ODIs in 2023 was nothing short of exceptional. Their record-breaking achievements, from their unmatched number of wins to their dominating batting and bowling displays, solidify their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the cricketing world. As they move forward, the challenge will be to maintain this level of excellence and continue to push boundaries. With the talent and determination displayed in 2023, there’s no doubt that India’s golden year in ODIs will be remembered for years to come.
