India’s dynamic batsman, Suryakumar Yadav, has been nominated for the prestigious ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year award for 2023. Renowned for his versatile 360-degree strokeplay, he clinched the award in 2022 by amassing an impressive 1164 runs in the format, making him the first Indian to achieve this honor.
Joining him as contenders for the award are Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani, and New Zealand’s Mark Chapman. Suryakumar's T20I performance in 17 innings saw him accumulate 733 runs at an average of 48.86 and a remarkable strike rate of 155.95, establishing his dominance in run-scoring in the shortest format.
While his initial T20I outing in the year yielded a modest seven runs against Sri Lanka, he showcased brilliance in the subsequent matches with scores of 51 (36) and an unbeaten 112 (51) in Pune and Rajkot, respectively. Notable innings include an 83 (44) against the West Indies in Guyana and a solid 61 (45) in Lauderhill, USA.
Towards the end of the year, Suryakumar assumed the T20I leadership role for a young Indian side. He notched half-centuries against Australia (80 off 42 balls) and South Africa (56 off 36 balls), culminating in a century off just 56 balls in India’s final T20I of the year in Johannesburg.
Raza, exhibiting consistency with the bat, scored at least 20 in nine out of his 11 T20I innings during the year. Accumulating 515 runs at an average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 150.14, he also contributed significantly with his off-spin, claiming 17 wickets at an average of 14.88 and an economy rate of 6.57.
Ramjani, a left-arm orthodox nightmare for batters, secured 55 wickets in 30 T20I outings, making him the leading wicket-taker among men’s players in the format throughout the year. His crucial knock of 40 from 26 against Zimbabwe played a pivotal role in a shock victory on their path to qualifying for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Chapman, the New Zealand batter, showcased swashbuckling form with the bat, amassing 556 runs in 17 innings at a striking rate of 145.54 and an admirable average of 50.54. His standout performance came in the shared 2-2 series against Pakistan, where he made 290 runs in five matches, securing the Player of the Series accolade with an unbeaten hundred in the final match.
In the Women’s T20I Player of the Year category, nominees include Australia’s Ellyse Perry, West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, England’s Sophie Ecclestone, and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu.
Ellyse Perry, despite making 60 runs in four innings and taking three wickets in Australia’s Women’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign, ended the year strongly with notable scores against England and West Indies. Her aggressive intent with the bat resulted in 319 runs in 10 innings at an average of 45.57 and a strike rate of 151.18, surpassing her personal best in Women’s T20Is.
Hayley Matthews, an all-rounder, accumulated 700 runs in the year, the highest by any player in a year in Women's T20Is. Additionally, she picked up 19 wickets through her off-spin at an average of 16.21. Her remarkable unbeaten 99 in the series opener against Australia and a sensational 132 in a run-chase of 213 in Sydney were standout performances.
Sophie Ecclestone, the top-ranked women's T20I bowler, claimed 11 wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup, the most by any player. Her stellar showing propelled her past 800 rating points, making her the second bowler to achieve this feat in the Women's T20I Bowling rankings. Ending the year with 23 wickets in 11 matches, she boasted an impressive average of 10.60 and bowled at an economy rate of 5.65.
Chamari Athapaththu finished the year with 470 runs, scoring at a brisk strike rate of 130.91, and also contributed with eight wickets. Noteworthy was her role in Sri Lanka's victories over South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup opening game and the stunning series win in England.
(With Agency Inputs)
