Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav has been honoured with the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year award for 2023, marking his second consecutive win. In the year 2023, Suryakumar accumulated 733 runs across 17 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 48.86 and a striking rate of 155.95.
The crafty batter registered four half-centuries and two centuries in 2023.
Suryakumar seamlessly embraced the captaincy role when handed over the responsibility due to the injury to Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the absence of Rohit Sharma. He showcased his adaptability and leadership skills effectively.
His notable performances included half-centuries against Australia (80 runs off 42 balls) and South Africa (56 runs from 36 balls). Furthermore, he delivered a remarkable century against South Africa, scoring 100 runs off just 56 deliveries in India's final T20I of the year in Johannesburg.
In the same year, the Mumbai Indians (MI) batter achieved India's second-fastest T20I century, reaching the three-figure mark against Sri Lanka in just 45 deliveries. His remarkable inning was only surpassed by Rohit's 35-ball century against the same opponent in 2017.
The Mumbai-born batter notched his fourth T20I century in 2023, joining the ranks of Rohit Sharma and Australia's Glenn Maxwell for the most centuries in the shortest format of the game. However, Suryakumar's achievement was short-lived, as Rohit Sharma surpassed it with an outstanding century in the final T20I of their three-match series against Afghanistan.
Suryakumar has accumulated 2,141 runs in 60 T20I matches, boasting an average of 45.55 and an impressive strike rate of 171.55.
SURYAKUMAR NAMED CAPTAIN OF T20I TOTY
Notably, Suryakumar was appointed as the captain of the ICC T20I Team of the Year, which was released on January 23.
In addition to Suryakumar, three other Indian players secured spots in the T20I Team of the Year. The list featured the explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, and spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
ICC T20I Team of the Year for 2023
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Phil Salt, Nicholas Pooran, Mark Chapman, Sikandar Raza, Alpesh Ramjani, Mark Adair, Ravi Bishnoi, Richard Ngarava, Arshdeep Singh.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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