Ravichandran Ashwin from India has been nominated for the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year award, standing as the only Indian representative among the four contenders. The list is primarily dominated by Australian players who secured victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2023.
Ashwin demonstrated exceptional performance by claiming 41 wickets in the seven Test matches he participated in throughout 2023. His remarkable form was evident in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, where he took 35 wickets in four matches. Remarkably, this marks Ashwin's third nomination for the prestigious award, having previously clinched the title in 2016.
Despite his outstanding contributions in the home series, the spinner faced the surprising situation of not being included in the Indian playing XI during the WTC Final 2023 against Australia, held in London. Alongside Ashwin, the other nominees in the five-member list include England's Joe Root, and Australia's Usman Khawaja and Travis Head.
Head was named the ‘Player of the Match’ in the WTC Final 2023, where he dismantled the Indian side during the first innings. With a total of 919 runs in 12 matches, this marked his most successful calendar year since making his debut. Following a subdued performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head showcased impressive batting in the WTC Final, Ashes 2023, and has continued to make significant contributions in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.
Since his comeback in the Ashes 2022/23, Khawaja has been nearly flawless. The batter topped the Test cricket run charts in 2023, accumulating an impressive 1210 runs from 13 matches. He recorded three centuries and six half-centuries during the year, maintaining a notable average of 52.60. However, he faced a controversy when the ICC rejected his request to display a peace symbol on his kit in solidarity with the lives lost in the Israel and Hamas conflict.
The Australian duo of Khawaja and Head are expected to be frontrunners for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2023, secured victory in the WTC Final, and successfully defended the Ashes series away from home. Despite their strong performance, Ashwin could emerge as a dark horse in the four-man race.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
MS Dhoni files criminal case against ex-business associates, claims duping of Rs 15 crore
Big blow to India despite bulldozing South Africa in 3rd Test within two days, toppled from throne
