The global governing body for Cricket, known as the International Cricket Council (ICC), revealed an impressive lineup of candidates for the Men’s Player of the Month award for October. This announcement was made on Tuesday, November 7.
The nominations feature two contemporary giants. One being the South African wizard with the gloves and bat, Quinton de Kock, and the other the swift Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. In addition to these, the emerging young gun, Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand, also finds a place in this esteemed list.
The trio’s placement on the list comes as no surprise given their outstanding performances in the current ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Shubman Gill of India received the prized trophy for September after dominating the Asia Cup as well as the three-match ODI series against Australia at home.
1. Quinton de Kock
After announcing that the ODI World Cup 2023 would be his final ODI, de Kock made every effort to make it matter. He started his campaign with two century against Sri Lanka and Australia before adding a third against Bangladesh in Mumbai.
In six October appearances, he scored 431 runs at an average of slightly under 72, while also taking 10 catches and causing a stumping with his normally clean wicket-keeping.
De Kock kicked up November with a fourth century in the 2023 World Cup, with New Zealand bearing the brunt of it. He is the only batter to have struck four or more hundreds in a single World Cup, joining Kumar Sangakkara and Rohit Sharma.
2. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra might not have started New Zealand’s World Cup opener against England if Lockie Ferguson had not been injured. As the reigning champions were thrashed by nine wickets, he made it count with a remarkable unbeaten 123.
Ravindra has made himself unbeatable in the competition, and he capped off the month of October with a brilliant century against Australia as the Blackcaps nearly chased down 389 at Dharamsala.
In October, the batting all-rounder scored 406 runs at an average of 81.20 while also taking three wickets.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has hardly missed a beat since returning from injury, and Jasprit Bumrah performed admirably throughout the World Cup in October. Jasprit Bumrah took 14 wickets in six outings this month, with a fantastic average of 15.07 and a miserly economy rate of 3.91.
While Jasprit Bumrah recorded stats of 4/39 against Afghanistan, he bowled a stunning session against Pakistan, with his slower one to castle Mohammad Rizwan and a reverse-swinging ripper to dismiss Shadab Khan being among the tournament’s greatest deliveries.
Jasprit Bumrah also helped India defend 229 against England in Lucknow, taking three wickets, including an early double-whammy that sent Dawid Malan and Joe Root back in short succession.
