The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for 2023 on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli, the recipient of the ICC ODI Cricketer of the decade award, has received a nomination for this year’s ODI Cricketer of the Year due to his outstanding performance in the format.
His compatriots Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami, along with New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, are the other three nominees.
Kohli amassed 1377 runs at an average of 72.47, achieving six centuries and eight half-centuries in 24 innings. Additionally, he secured a wicket and took 12 catches in 27 matches.
The prominent Indian batter had an exceptional run during the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 765 runs. This achievement surpassed the previous record set by Sachin Tendulkar in 2003, marking the highest individual run tally by a batsman at a men’s Cricket World Cup.
Kohli concluded the tournament with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31, showcasing three centuries, including a crucial one in the semi-finals against New Zealand, marking his 50th in ODIs.
Emerging Indian batter Shubman Gill also had an impressive year, accumulating 1584 runs in 29 innings and securing 24 catches. With five centuries and a strike rate exceeding 100, Gill formed a formidable partnership at the top of the order for India alongside captain Rohit Sharma, contributing to several remarkable opening stands, notably during the World Cup.
In 2023, Gill became the youngest double centurion in ODIs by scoring a remarkable 208 against New Zealand in Hyderabad early in the year.
The sole pace bowler nominated for the coveted ODI Cricketer of the Year Award, Mohammed Shami, made a significant impact with his exceptional bowling skills.
The right-arm pacer concluded the year with 43 wickets, alongside 36 runs and three catches in 19 matches. Although Shami had a relatively average first-half, he displayed remarkable improvement in the latter part of the year, notably excelling during the World Cup for India.
Despite missing initial fixtures for India, Shami emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 24 scalps at an impressive average of 10.7. He achieved three five-wicket hauls and a four-wicket haul in the seven World Cup matches, surpassing India’s record for leading wicket-taker at Men’s Cricket World Cups with a tally of 55 wickets in just 18 games.
New Zealand’s batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell showcased top form in 2023. The right-handed batsman amassed a significant 1204 runs, ranking as the third-highest by a New Zealand batter in the format within a calendar year.
Mitchell also secured six wickets and took 22 catches in 26 matches. Despite a modest start to the year, his standout performance at the World Cup included 552 runs at an average of 69 and a strike rate over 100, notably achieving two centuries against India, whose bowling unit proved formidable during the tournament.
- Virat Kohli