In cricket, despite being a team sport, individual performances play a pivotal role in shaping a team's success or failure. Players often receive titles like 'King' or 'God' for their victories, or they may face criticism as villains for losses. While fans hold deep admiration for their national teams, the spotlight often falls on one or two standout players who become favourites and are closely followed. This trend unfolds both on social media and within cricket arenas. The year 2023 was no exception.
While Australia's notable achievement of winning the ICC World Test Championship, The Ashes, and the ICC Cricket World Cup marked the year, India's strong home performance ended with the disappointment of a World Cup final loss. The South African cricket team displayed remarkable aggression, England adopted the 'Bazball' school of Test cricket, and traditional cricket powerhouses like Sri Lanka, England, and West Indies faced setbacks. Amidst these team accomplishments and challenges, certain individuals captured the fans' attention with standout performances. Let's take a closer look at some of the standout players of the year.
Virat Kohli (India)
The standout Indian batter experienced a remarkable turnaround in 2023, redeeming himself after a lacklustre performance from 2020 to 2022. Virat Kohli not only broke records consistently but also showcased exceptional form with the bat. From becoming the first batter to achieve 50 ODI centuries to an outstanding campaign in the Cricket World Cup, where he amassed a staggering 765 runs, Virat left an indelible mark. His pursuit of legendary Sachin Tendulkar's batting figures further solidified his status as India's 'GOAT' (Greatest of All Time), earning him the unwavering support of fans.
In the Test format, the 35-year-old scored 671 runs in eight matches with an average of 55.61, featuring two centuries and two fifties in 12 innings, with a best score of 186.
In ODIs, he amassed 1,377 runs in 27 matches at an average of 72.47 and a strike rate of 99.13. Virat recorded six centuries and eight fifties in just 24 innings, achieving a high score of 166.
In a total of 35 international matches and 36 innings throughout the year, Virat accumulated 2,048 runs at an impressive average of 66.06. This included eight centuries and 10 fifties in 36 innings.
Even in the IPL, Virat displayed his prowess, scoring 639 runs in 14 games at an average of 53.25, with two centuries and six fifties. His stellar performance in T20Is sent a clear message that he is far from finished in this format.
Shubman Gill (India)
While 2023 was dominated by the 'King Kohli,' the 'Prince of Indian Cricket' also took significant strides towards greatness, positioning himself as Virat's potential successor. Although Shubman Gill is still finding his rhythm in T20Is and Tests, he made a resounding impact in ODIs, even attaining the number one ranking.
In six Tests this year, Gill recorded 258 runs at an average of 28.66, featuring a century. His highest score was 128. In 29 ODIs, Gill notched up 1,584 runs at an impressive average of 63.36 and a strike rate exceeding 105. This included five centuries and nine fifties, with a best score of 208. While T20Is proved to be a challenging format for Gill in 2023, where he scored 312 runs in 13 innings at an average of 26.00, he did manage to achieve a century and a fifty. His highest T20I score was 126*.
In a total of 47 international games this year, the 24-year-old accumulated 2,126 runs at an average of 48.31, registering seven centuries and 10 fifties. He concluded the year as the highest run-scorer in international cricket.
Moreover, Gill's outstanding performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Gujarat Titans (GT) earned him the 'Player of the Tournament' title. He scored 890 runs in 17 innings at an average of 59.33, securing three centuries and four fifties. Gill also received the 'Orange Cap' for being the highest run-scorer in the IPL this season.
Travis Head (Australia)
Travis Head emerged as Australia's go-to player in crucial moments throughout the year, consistently amassing runs when it mattered most. His standout centuries in the final of the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC Cricket World Cup positioned him as a strong contender for a significant ICC Players Award.
In 12 Tests this year, Head accumulated 919 runs at an average of 41.77, boasting an impressive strike rate of over 75. This included a century and five fifties in 23 innings, with a highest score of 163. In 13 ODIs, Head amassed 570 runs at an average of 51.81 and a strike rate exceeding 133. He recorded two centuries and three fifties in 13 innings, achieving a best score of 137. Displaying his destructive prowess in T20Is, the left-handed batter scored 209 runs in six matches at an average of 34.83, with a top score of 91 as his sole fifty.
Throughout 31 international matches this year, Head tallied 1,698 runs at an average of 43.53 and a strike rate of over 96. This remarkable performance included three centuries and nine fifties, with his highest score being 163.
Rohit Sharma (India)
In 2023, the 'Hitman' became synonymous with selflessness as Rohit Sharma led by example for the Men in Blue. His fearless batting in the ICC Cricket World Cup took the pressure off the batters following him, facilitating their time at the crease. Despite a 10-match winning streak in the tournament, India faced a heartbreak in the final.
Across 27 ODIs, Rohit amassed 1,255 runs at an average of 52.29 and a strike rate exceeding 117. This included two centuries and nine fifties. In eight Tests, he scored 545 runs at an average of 41.92, recording two centuries and two fifties in 11 innings, with a best score of 120.
Throughout 35 international games in the year, Rohit accumulated 1,800 runs at an average of 48.64, securing four centuries and 11 fifties in 39 innings, with the highest score being 131. Despite leading the Mumbai Indians (MI) to the IPL 2023 playoffs, Rohit's individual batting performance in the tournament was underwhelming.
Aiden Markram (South Africa)
The stylish South African batter Aiden Markram has established himself as a future leader. In three Tests this year, he accumulated a total of 281 runs at an average of 56.20, featuring a century and a fifty. His highest score was 115. In 24 ODIs, Markram scored 1,033 runs at an average of 51.55 and a strike rate exceeding 113. This included three centuries and five fifties, with a best score of 175. Notably, he registered a 49-ball century in the Cricket World Cup, ranking as the fastest until Glenn Maxwell achieved one in 40 balls against the Netherlands. In eight T20Is, Markram scored 239 runs at an average of 39.83 and a strike rate of over 162, with a top score of 49.
Across 35 international matches this year, Markram amassed 1,553 runs at an average of 50.09, showcasing consistency with four centuries and six fifties in 37 innings. However, his performance in the IPL as captain and a batter for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was deemed underwhelming.
Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Specialising in Test cricket, Usman Khawaja played a pivotal role in Australia's triumph in the World Test Championship and The Ashes. Across 13 Tests this year, he accumulated 1,210 runs at an average of 52.60, registering three centuries and six fifties. His highest score was an unbeaten 195.
Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
This late-blooming all-rounder in his 30s had an exceptional year, standing out like no one else. In the absence of skipper Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell became the batting mainstay for the Kiwis. Across seven Tests, he amassed 469 runs at an average of 42.63, notching a century and four fifties in 13 innings. His highest score was 102. In 26 ODIs, he tallied 1,204 runs at an average of 52.34, including five centuries and three fifties in 25 innings. His best score was 134. In 18 T20Is, he scored 316 runs at an average of 21.06, securing two half-centuries.
Overall, he concluded the year as the third most successful batter with 1,989 runs in 51 matches and 55 innings, maintaining an average of 40.59. This included six centuries and nine fifties, with the best score of 134.
The 32-year-old emerged as New Zealand's second-most successful batter in the 2023 World Cup, scoring 552 runs in 10 matches with two centuries and two fifties at an impressive average of 69.00. He also contributed with the ball, taking 11 wickets across formats throughout the year.
Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
The Australian all-rounder went on a rampage this year, taking on bowlers right from the first ball. He played a crucial role in Australia's success in the Ashes and the ICC Cricket World Cup.
In five Tests this year, the 32-year-old amassed 540 runs at an impressive average of 67.50 and a strike rate exceeding 73. This included a century and four fifties in ten innings, with a highest score of 118. In 20 ODIs, Marsh scored 858 runs at an average of 47.66, featuring two centuries and five fifties. His best score was an unbeaten 177. Marsh also showcased his prowess in three T20Is, scoring 186 runs at an astonishing average of 186.00, recording two fifties with a top score of 92*.
Throughout 28 international matches this year, he accumulated 1,584 runs at an average of 58.66, boasting three centuries and 11 fifties in 33 innings. His highest score was 177*. Marsh also contributed with the ball, taking six wickets across formats during the year.
Ravindra Jadeja (India)
The exceptional Indian all-rounder concluded the year with an impressive tally of 66 international wickets in 35 matches, the highest by any bowler in the year. Among these, 33 wickets came in Tests, 31 in ODIs, and two in T20Is.
Across all formats this year, he contributed with the bat, scoring 613 runs at an average of 30.65, featuring two fifties. His major success came in Tests, where he accumulated 281 runs in seven matches, with a highest score of 70.
Jadeja also played a pivotal role in IPL 2023, where he scored the winning runs to guide Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fifth title. In the tournament, he scored 190 valuable runs in 12 innings and claimed 20 wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav (India)
This spinner proved to be unplayable throughout the year, finishing strong with 63 wickets in 39 matches. Among these, he claimed 49 wickets in ODIs, while the remaining 14 came in T20Is, with his best bowling figures being 5/17.
Mitchell Starc (Australia)
The 'World Cup Year Starc' may not have been as intimidating as anticipated, but he still had a commendable year with the ball, achieving success in the WTC final (four wickets), The Ashes (top wicket-taker with 23), and the Cricket World Cup (16 wickets). Concluding the year with 63 wickets in 23 matches, he delivered his best figures of 5/33. Among these, he secured 38 wickets in Tests and 25 in ODIs.
Starc reserved his peak performances for the WTC final, The Ashes, and the knockout games of the World Cup, further solidifying his status as an Australian great.
Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)
Coetzee marked his debut in all formats this year, and what a success story it has been for the Proteas. He claimed 47 wickets across 21 matches, showcasing his best figures of 4/44. Coetzee excelled with 10 wickets in Tests, 31 in ODIs, and six in T20Is.
His Cricket World Cup debut was particularly memorable, propelling the Proteas to the semi-finals with a remarkable 20-wicket campaign. This achievement stands as the highest wicket tally by a Proteas bowler in a single tournament edition.
Mohammed Shami (India)
Despite spending some time on the sidelines this year due to the emergence of young talent, the veteran pacer Shami proved to be lethal with the ball in hand. He concluded the year with 56 wickets in 23 international matches, boasting his best figures of 7/57. Notably, only 13 of these wickets came in Test cricket.
Shami had a memorable World Cup 2023, entering the field midway and stealing the show with a stellar 24-wicket campaign. This achievement catapulted him to the top of the wicket-taking charts within just seven matches, with his best figures being 7/57.
In addition, he clinched the 'Purple Cap' for the most wickets in IPL 2023, amassing 28 wickets in 17 matches.
Pat Cummins (Australia)
The Australian skipper silenced all his critics this year, displaying calm nerves and pure class both as a player and a leader. Cummins achieved the remarkable feat of completing a three-peat for Australia with victories in the WTC title, the Ashes, and the ICC Cricket World Cup, shining in each of these key events.
Cummins concluded the year with 59 wickets in 24 matches, boasting his best bowling figures of 6/91. Notably, 42 of these wickets came in Tests, while 17 were claimed in ODIs. In addition to his stellar bowling, Cummins delivered valuable performances with the bat during the Ashes and World Cup, amassing 422 runs in 28 innings this year at an average of 21.10. Memorable moments include his unbeaten 44 against England in an instant classic first Ashes Test and his contribution of 12* in a double-century stand with Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan in the Cricket World Cup.
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