The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently announced the much-anticipated T20I Team of the Year for 2023, and it comes as no surprise that Indian cricketers dominate the lineup. Led by the talented Suryakumar Yadav, this team represents the best of the best in the world of T20 cricket.
The selection process for the team took into account outstanding performances throughout the year, with a focus on players who excelled with the bat, and ball, or made significant all-round contributions. While the absence of Pakistani players may raise a few eyebrows, the talent and skill displayed by the chosen XI cannot be denied.
At the top of the order, we have the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his debut in 2022. Jaiswal’s impressive 430 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 159 secured his spot as the opening batsman alongside England’s Phil Salt. Salt, with his remarkable 331 runs in a T20I series, outshone other top-scoring batters and deservedly earned his place in the team.
Taking up the crucial No. 3 position is West Indies’ wicket-keeper batter, Nicholas Pooran. Pooran’s ability to score quick runs and his agility behind the stumps make him a valuable asset to any team. Leading the team as captain is the talented Suryakumar Yadav, whose consistent performances and leadership skills have earned him the respect of his teammates and opponents alike.
The middle order is bolstered by the inclusion of Mark Chapman from New Zealand and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Both players have shown great composure and the ability to anchor an innings while also accelerating the scoring rate when needed.
In the lower order, we have Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani and Ireland’s Mark Adair at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Ramjani, the leading wicket-taker in T20Is with an impressive 55 wickets at an economy of 4.77, has been a revelation in the world of cricket. Adair, on the other hand, has proven his worth with 26 wickets at an economy of 7.42.
Completing the bowling attack are India’s Ravi Bishnoi, Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava, and India’s Arshdeep Singh. Bishnoi’s 18 wickets in the year have catapulted him to the top of the ICC T20 Bowling Rankings, making him a formidable force. Ngarava’s 26 wickets in 15 matches, conceding only 5.63 runs per over, highlight his accuracy and ability to contain batsmen. Arshdeep Singh, with his 26 wickets in 21 appearances, has proven to be a consistent performer and a valuable asset to the team.
A mixture of youth and experience make up the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year 2023 🙌
Details ➡️ https://t.co/BWgwdpaspp pic.twitter.com/2uztdSgsJE
— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2024
The ICC T20I Team of the Year 2023 is a testament to the incredible talent and skill that exists in the world of cricket. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, this team has the potential to dominate the T20 format and continue to entertain fans around the globe.
While the absence of Pakistani players may be a point of discussion, it is important to recognize and appreciate the exceptional performances of the players who have made it into the team. This selection process is a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of cricket and the emergence of new talent from various corners of the cricketing world.
As fans, we can look forward to watching these players showcase their skills and entertain us with their performances in the upcoming T20I matches. The ICC T20I Team of the Year 2023 is a true reflection of the best that cricket has to offer, and we can’t wait to see them in action on the field.