Suryakumar Yadav Clinches Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year Again!
In a year brimming with remarkable cricketing performances, Suryakumar Yadav stood tall, claiming the Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award for the second consecutive time. The 31-year-old dynamo showcased his talent and exciting skillset, finishing as the highest run-scorer in T20Is among Full Member nations in the prolific cricketing year of 2023.
Stellar Year for Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar kicked off 2023 with a modest score of 7 against Sri Lanka, but his cricketing journey took an upward trajectory with subsequent innings of 51 (36) and an explosive 112 not out (51). Demonstrating consistency and flair, he played 17 T20I innings, accumulating a staggering 733 runs at an impressive average of 48.86. The tally included five half-centuries and two centuries, all while maintaining a blistering strike rate of 155.95.
Ending the year on a high note, Suryakumar’s highlight reel featured a scintillating 56-ball century against South Africa. With captaincy duties thrust upon him due to the absence of Rohit Sharma and the injury to Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar led from the front, guiding India to a 4-1 series triumph against Australia and drawing a three-match series against South Africa 1-1.
Rachin Ravindra Shines as Emerging Player of the Year
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra emerged as the Men’s Emerging Player of the Year, following a breakthrough year highlighted by his stellar performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Playing a pivotal role as an opener, Ravindra amassed 578 runs in ten innings at an impressive average of 64.22. His contributions included two fifties and three centuries, making him the fourth-highest scorer in the tournament.
Ravindra’s remarkable year also featured 820 runs in 25 ODIs and 91 runs in 12 T20Is, along with 18 wickets at 46.61 in the fifty-over format. Reflecting on his achievement, Ravindra expressed, “It’s obviously a very special feeling. Whenever you get recognized by the ICC for something, it is always special.”
Hayley Matthews: Queen of Women’s T20I Cricket
In the women’s cricketing arena, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews reigned supreme, clinching the Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award. Matthews enjoyed an exceptional year, accumulating 700 runs in 14 innings at a staggering average of 63.63. Adding to her brilliance, she also claimed 19 wickets at an impressive average of 16.21.
Matthews showed her dominance during a remarkable tour of Australia in October 2023, culminating in a T20I series where she scored 99*, 132, and 79. Her 310 runs in the series stand as the highest by any player in a women’s T20I bilateral series.
Bas de Leede’s Heroics Secure Associate Cricketer of the Year
Netherlands’ Bas de Leede etched his name in cricketing annals by securing the Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year. His pivotal role in Netherlands’ qualification for the main draw of the 2023 ODI World Cup included impressive performances with both bat and ball. De Leede concluded the year with 31 wickets in 16 ODIs at 28.26 and 424 runs at an identical average.
One of the standout moments of the year was de Leede’s all-round show against Scotland, where he scalped 5 for 52 in a crucial World Cup qualifier game and then smashed a spectacular 92-ball 123, almost single-handedly steering Netherlands into the final.
Teams of the Year Domination
The ICC’s Teams of the Year reflected the dominance of cricketing powerhouses. India’s runner-up finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup earned them a stronghold in the ODI Team of the Year, captained by Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Australia claimed the spotlight in the Test Team of the Year, with five members featuring in the XI and Pat Cummins leading the side.
Chamari Athapaththu, named captain of the Women’s ODI Team of the Year, led a squad that boasted five Australians. However, no Indian found a place in the ICC’s Women’s Team of the Year. In the T20I Team of the Year, Suryakumar Yadav took the helm, guiding a star-studded XI that included promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Phil Salt.
