On Monday, the ICC unveiled the T20I Teams of the Year for both men’s and women’s cricket, injecting excitement into the cricketing world.
Leading the men’s team is the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, who not only earned a spot but was also bestowed with the captaincy honor. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu takes the helm of the women’s team, setting the stage for recognition of stellar performances in the shortest format.
The men’s lineup is adorned with Indian brilliance, featuring not only the captain but also the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh. Suryakumar Yadav continues to reign as the top-ranked batter in T20Is, showcasing his prowess with an impressive tally of 733 runs at a remarkable average of 48.86 and a striking strike-rate of 155.95. Jaiswal, an emerging talent, left an indelible mark with his century off just 49 balls against Nepal at the Asian Games, while Bishnoi and Singh made significant impacts with their bowling prowess in challenging match situations.
Batting sensations Nicholas Pooran and Mark Chapman add to the firepower of the team, each contributing their own flair to the game. Pooran’s impactful performances, tallying 384 runs at an impressive strike rate of 162.7, played a pivotal role in shaping West Indies’ fortunes. Meanwhile, Chapman notched up 576 runs with a strike rate of 141, earning his place among the top scorers in T20Is.
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza emerged as a formidable all-rounder, amassing over 500 runs at a strike rate of 150 and claiming 17 wickets with an economical economy rate of 6.57. The breakout star of the year, Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani, showcased his skills as the leading wicket-taker with a remarkable tally of 55 wickets at an exceptional economy of 4.77, while also contributing with the bat.
Notable performances by Mark Adair and Richard Ngarava, particularly in death bowling and impactful new-ball spells, added depth to the team’s success. As the cricketing community eagerly reviews these outstanding selections, the T20I Teams of the Year for 2023 reflect the dynamic and impactful players who have left an indelible mark on the thrilling world of T20 cricket.