The race for the prestigious Apex Cricket Council Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023 is on, and four outstanding players have made it to the shortlist. Out of these four players, three come from India, including Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
Young and dynamic Indian batter Shubman Gill had a standout year in international cricket, particularly in ODIs. The 1584 runs he amassed in 29 matches at an impressive average of 63.36 marked a significant achievement. Gill formed a formidable partnership with skipper Rohit Sharma, including in the ODI World Cup 2023. Despite facing setbacks like dengue fever during the tournament, he showcased resilience, contributing 354 runs and playing a crucial role in India’s campaign.
Another Indian on the list is pacer Mohammed Shami, who transformed his cricketing journey in the second half of 2023, emerging as a spectacular force during the ODI World Cup. Despite missing initial matches, Shami became the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 scalps at a remarkable average of 10.7. His five-wicket hauls and consistent performances not only defined his year but also set a new record as India’s leading wicket-taker in Men’s Cricket World Cups.
Can Virat Kohli make a historic win?
Another Indian on the list is stalwart batter Virat Kohli, who continued his stellar form in ODIs throughout 2023. His standout performance came in the Cricket World Cup, where he amassed a record-breaking 765 runs—the highest by an individual batter in a single edition. Kohli’s consistency was remarkable, with at least a half-century in nine out of 11 innings. He ended the tournament with a phenomenal average of 95.62, underscoring his dominance in the format.
The last nominee on the list is Kiwi batter Daryl Mitchell, who showcased his prowess in ODIs with an outstanding performance in 2023. Accumulating 1204 runs, he secured the third-highest recorded total in a calendar year by a New Zealand player in the format. Mitchell’s spectacular run included back-to-back centuries in Pakistan and another in England. His standout contribution came in the Cricket World Cup, where he became New Zealand’s middle-order linchpin, scoring 552 runs at an average of 69.
The Apex Cricket Council Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023 award is sure to be a close contest among these exceptional players, each having left an indelible mark on the international cricket scene throughout the year.
