Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
820 ODI runs at 41, Strike Rate 108.03, 18 wickets at 46.61, economy 6.02
91 T20I runs at 18.20, Strike Rate 133.82, 5 wickets at 32.80, economy 9.11
That was the year
In 2023, New Zealand’s “next player up” mentality was once more put to the test, but the Black Caps demonstrated the (importance) of their system once more when Rachin Ravindra flourished on the largest stage.
Although he represented his nation in the other two formats prior to 2023, it was in March that he made his debut in the ODI format that he demonstrated his prowess.
Early on, he provided insights with a 49-run knock against Sri Lanka and contributed with the ball by taking three-wicket hauls in succession against Pakistan and England, both of which were played away from home.
Ravindra then scored fifty against England at Lord’s, but his true prodigious form emerged during the World Cup. In the absence of Kane Williamson, the left-handed batsman demonstrated beyond-his-years mental acumen and class in a 123* (96) innings, thereby stifling New Zealand’s World Cup challenge.
Despite the heightened attention and strategic considerations of his adversaries, Ravindra maintained his composure. After a fifty-one-run innings against the Dutch, he scored an additional fifty-five against India in Dharamsala. Ravindra continued to score aggressively in the pursuit against Australia at the same venue, amassing 116 runs in the process, before scoring another century against Pakistan in Bengaluru.
Ravindra amassed the most runs (578) of any New Zealand player during the tournament; only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Quinton de Kock had scored more.
Memorable Performance
Concerns were expressed regarding New Zealand’s starting lineup for the Cricket World Cup, as the nation would likely have to rearrange its lineup to accommodate those who were eliminated.
Once more, New Zealand capitalised on their strengths rather than lamenting their weaknesses: Ravindra joined Devon Conway at 10/1 in pursuit of England’s 283 runs, assessed his first seven balls, and began his charge by striking consecutive back-to-back boundaries off Chris Woakes deliveries.
Ravindra then dismissed Mark Wood for ten runs in another rapid two-ball sequence, and Wood reached fifty with a six off the thirty-sixth delivery he encountered.
Rachin increased his pace in opposition to Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid’s spin by driving Liam Livingstone to his leg-side and reaching three figures in 82 deliveries. Both he and Conway contributed to England’s total, and Ravindra completed the match in a mere 37 overs.
Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)
10 Test wickets at 21.70, economy 3.87
31 ODI wickets at 23.22, economy 6.48
6 T20I wickets at 23.33, economy 10.50
That was the year
Gerald Coetzee emerges victorious despite the constraints of competing in the Cricket World Cup, providing the Proteas with the facelift they required on the bowling side.
Although Coetzee’s achievements on the international stage capped a fruitful year, it was his consistency across all three formats that truly demonstrated his worth: he took two wickets per innings in Test cricket, an average that he surpassed in One-Day Internationals, and one wicket every 13 deliveries in the shortest format.
Demonstrating speeds exceeding 145kph, Coetzee initially demonstrated his prowess in Test whites during his début against the West Indies in Centurion in February, claiming three wickets in just 18 overs.
The Johannesburg Test then proceeded with six wickets, and the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against India concluded with one wicket.
Prior to the Cricket World Cup 2023, South Africa appeared deficient in pace on paper due to the absence of Anrich Nortje. However, Coetzee’s run-in and performance during the tournament proved that South Africa needed not have been concerned. Coetzee amassed a total of 31 wickets at an average of 23.22 throughout the year, with only two wicketless performances in the format, both times against Australia during their pre-world tournament preparation series.
Coetzee’s sole non-multiple-wicket performance in India was 1/57 against the Netherlands. In Ahmedabad, he claimed four wickets against Afghanistan and three wicket-hauls against England and Bangladesh. In the semi-final against Australia, Coetzee amassed 2/47 (9) as one of the Proteas’ highest scores in a valiant endeavor to defend 212.
Following that, Coetzee amassed a half-dozen wickets in 13.2 overs over the course of four Twenty20 Internationals, including 3/32 against India in Johannesburg.
Memorable Performance
A numerical record of 4 for 44 from 10 overs against Afghanistan would indicate that Coetzee was outstanding in and of himself, but the versatile nature of the fast is highlighted by the constant pressure it applied throughout the three phases of the innings.
To curtail Afghanistan’s innings, Coetzee dismissed Ibrahim Zadran in the final over of the Powerplay and then returned to dismiss Ikram Alikhil in the middle overs.
Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka)
15 ODI wickets at 24.06, economy 6.09
12 T20I wickets at 29.41, economy 9.80
That was the year
During an unprecedented year for Sri Lankan cricket, which began with a qualifying round for the Cricket World Cup, the 23-year-old excelled with the ball.
However, had Dushmantha Chameera not sustained an injury in the qualifier, Madushanka might not have blossomed to its full potential. Although the left-armer entered the game as a substitute due to injury, it is reasonable to say that he capitalized on the opportunity.
After making his debut with 1/38 (8) against The Netherlands, Madushanka exploded onto the field with a 3/15 (5) performance against Zimbabwe, where he dismissed both openers and Wessly Madhevere at No. 3. A 1/49 (10) against the West Indies was the next in line, which was followed by a 3/18 (7) performance that earned him Player of the Match honors in the tournament final against the Dutch.
The quick performed admirably against the Dutch once more at the World Cup, taking 11 wickets in his first four appearances with a 4/49 (9.4) performance.
In the main event, Madushanka finished with 21 wickets at an average of 25, including a five-wicket haul against India and 3/69 (10) against Bangladesh.
Six of Madushanka’s twelfth-place wickets for the Twenty20 Internationals were taken during the Twenty20 Asia Cup for an economy rate of 25.83.
Memorable Performance
Deep into the Cricket World Cup group stage, Madushanka’s name dominated the top six of India’s scorecard, claiming five of their top six. This occurred in the intense heat of the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the first over with a ripsnorter by the left-armer, who then returned to dispatch Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill in consecutive overs through the middle.
Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer were both victims of Madushanka’s two subsequent deadly blows. Although the 80-run return was relatively costly, the adolescent truly impressed and gained the admiration of the opposition’s local audience.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)
283 Test runs at 70.75
430 T20I runs at 33.07, Strike Rate 159.25
That was the year
Opportunities aboundd for young individuals seeking to establish themselves in India in 2023, and the aforementioned 22-year-old adeptly capitalised on nearly every opportunity that presented itself.
In July, Jaiswal was awarded his first Test uniform in the Caribbean. The left-handed batsman flourished on the opportunity, scoring a century while opening the batting in Dominica and receiving Player of the Match honors. In the second Test of the tour, he amassed 57 and 38 runs, with the fifty-fifty coming in an opening stand of 139 with Rohit Sharma.
On the same tour, Jaiswal made his Twenty20 International debut, and despite a hiccup in his opening match, he rallied to score 84* off 51 deliveries. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, he amassed an even 100 (49) against Nepal, followed by half-centuries of 53 off 25 balls against Australia and 60 (41) against South Africa.
Early on, Jaiswal’s performances suggest that he will be selected for the ODI team, and that 2024 will be another prosperous year.
Memorable Performance
Undoubtedly, the senior début of another U19 World Cup hero piqued the interest of India supporters. The left-handeder performed admirably, spending more than eight hours at the Windsor Park crease and scoring 171 to help India defeat the West Indies in the innings.
With sixteen fours and one six in his innings, Jaiswal became the seventeenth Indian to score a century on his Test debut and the seventh India player to do so while away from home.
Rohit and Jaiswal’s opening stand of 229 runs was the second-highest for India in Tests played in the West Indies and helped the tourists reach 421/5 declared.
