In 2023, international cricket showcased brilliant games. Australia’s seasoned top-order batsman, Usman Khawaja, not only made headlines with his ICC rift but also became the highest run-scorer in 2023’s Test cricket. This left-hander appeared in 13 Tests, making 1,210 runs with an average of 52.60. He nailed three centuries and six half-centuries.
Three Aussies are at the top. Steve Smith holds second place, with 929 runs over 13 games, an average of 42.22, and three tons and half-centuries each. Travis Head follows him, a champion in both the World Test Championship (WTC) and ODI World Cup finals. His score? 919 from 12 Tests, an average of 41.77, one amazing hundred and five noteworthy half-centuries. Then comes Marnus Labuschagne. He makes a strong presence with 803 runs over 13 Tests, earning an average of 34.91.
In 2023, Shubman Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer in One Day Internationals. He gathered a whopping 1584 runs from 29 games! With an average run of 63.36 and a strike rate of 105.45. Five times he scored over a hundred and made fifty or more on nine occasions. His superlative performance includes a high score of 208.
Next on the list is Virat Kohli, who stacked up 1377 runs in 27 matches. He averaged a high 72.47 and hit at a strike rate of 99.13. His achievements include six centuries and eight half-centuries. Rohit Sharma, the commander of the Indian team, also had an impressive year, finishing third. He obtained a total of 1255 runs from 27 outings, with an average of 52.29 and a swift strike rate of 117.07. This makes it an all-Indian dominance at the top.
In 2023, known stars shone at the crease. But also, a handful of youth caught attention with their prowess at bat. We spotlight three such up-and-comers who made waves.
3. Towhid Hridoy – Bangladesh
Towhid Hridoy of Bangladesh played his first ODI in March 2023. This happened in Sylhet against Ireland. He was 23 then and was named Player of the Match. Why? His impressive score was 92, and he did it using just 85 balls. He hit two sixes and eight fours! Almost made a century in his debut match. But Graham Hume of Ireland bowled him out in the 46th over.
The right-handed batsman backed up his outstanding debut innings with a 49-ball innings in the following match at the same location. Hridoy also made an impression at the Asia Cup, scoring 82 off 97 in the Super 4 match against Sri Lanka and a brave 54 in the triumph over India. The teenager struggled at the World Cup but managed a brave 74 off 79 against Australia.
In 2023, Hridoy competed in 27 ODIs and recorded 727 runs. His average score was 34.61, and he achieved six 50-run games. However, his performance in the T20I format was less remarkable. He scored 175 runs in eight innings, averaging 25 runs and maintaining a 131.57 strike rate.
Though Hridoy’s skill set is developing, 2023 revealed certain aspects pointing towards a promising future. He could be a name to monitor closely in near times.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal – India
Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young batsman from India, proved his worth on the global platform in 2023. At the ripe age of 22, during India’s tour to the West Indies in July, he debuted in Test Cricket. His commencement in red-ball cricket was spectacular. He scored an unforgettable 171, contributing to India’s triumphant win in Roseau.
In Port of Spain, the southpaw followed it up with 57 and 38. Jaiswal struggled in Centurion against South Africa, failing in both innings. But that wasn’t surprising in a game where more experienced Indian batsmen struggled. Jaiswal should improve with experience in difficult situations.
In his second innings, he hit 84* off 51 balls against the West Indies, with 11 fours and three sixes. Jaiswal also hit 100 off 49 against Nepal in the Asian Games quarter-finals.
He hit a crucial 60 off 41 balls in the third T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg. Jaiswal had a memorable year.
1. Rachin Ravindra – New Zealand
In 2021, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra stepped onto the global field for the first time. Rachin Ravindra showed glimpses of his talent in games that followed, but it wasn’t until 2023 when his skill truly shone.
Rachin Ravindra faced his first ODI challenge in Auckland against Sri Lanka in March 2023. He gave a solid 49 run contribution from 52 balls in the Kiwi’s victory of 198-runs. In a match against England at Lord’s, Rachin Ravindra successfully scored 61 runs from 48 balls, hitting three boundaries and four sixes.
When it came to the ODI World Cup, nobody could overshadow Rachin Ravindra. He truly shone at this top-tier ICC event. In just 10 rounds, Rachin Ravindra hit a whopping 578 runs! His batting averaged at 64.22. And his strike rate? An impressive 106.45.
During the event, the Kiwi hit three hundreds. Rachin Ravindra struck 123* off 96 balls against England in the World Cup opener in Ahmedabad, 116 off 89 balls against Australia in Dharamsala, and 108 off 94 balls against Pakistan in Bengaluru. Rachin Ravindra One of the best discoveries of the year in international cricket.
