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January 3, 2024
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has made a remarkable comeback to the top 10 of the prestigious MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings following his stellar performances in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa. In a parallel development, South African opener Dean Elgar soared up the rankings after his Player of the Match performance in the first Test, which saw the hosts secure a decisive 1-0 lead.
Kohli, who previously held the top rank before slipping out of the top 10 in mid-2022, has leapfrogged four positions to secure the ninth spot, trailing New Zealand’s top-ranked Kane Williamson by 103 rating points. Meanwhile, Elgar’s magnificent knock of 185 has vaulted him 19 places to 17th position, marking a fitting send-off as he captains the team in the second Test in Cape Town – his final international appearance.
Several players have reaped the rewards of their outstanding performances in the first Test between Australia and Pakistan, with Marnus Labuschagne inching up one spot to seventh after notching a half-century in the first innings. His compatriots Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh have also climbed the rankings, moving up four and 16 places to 41st and 52nd, respectively.
For Pakistan, the trio of Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammed Rizwan have made significant strides after their exploits in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne. Shakeel climbed one place to 13th, while Shafique and Rizwan ascended three and four places to 21st and 27th, respectively. The Australian team emerged victorious in this closely-fought contest, clinching a 79-run victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Rising Stars Compete for ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023
Rachin Ravindra in Contention for ICC Award
His impressive statistics across various formats highlight Rachin Ravindra’s notable achievements. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), the talented all-rounder has amassed 820 runs at an average of 41, maintaining a solid strike rate of 108.03. Additionally, he has claimed 18 wickets at an average of 46.61, keeping a commendable economy rate of 6.02.
In the shortest format, T20 Internationals, Ravindra has contributed 91 runs at an average of 18.20, boasting an impressive strike rate of 133.82. His bowling prowess is also evident in this format, with 5 wickets to his name at an average of 32.80 and an economy rate of 9.11.
In 2023, New Zealand’s “next player up” mentality faced another challenge. Once again, the Black Caps demonstrated the strength and depth of their system. Rachin Ravindra emerged as a critical player, rising to the occasion and proving his worth on the international stage.
Ravindra had already represented his country in other formats before 2023. Still, he truly showcased his remarkable talents in the ODI format, where he debuted in Marchents.
Early on, he made his mark with a knock of 49 against Sri Lanka, demonstrating his skills with the bat. Additionally, he contributed significantly with the ball, claiming consecutive three-wicket hauls against Pakistan and England, both away from home.
Ravindra continued to shine, scoring a fifty against England at Lord’s, further solidifying his role in the team. However, it was during the World Cup that Ravindra truly flourished. With the absence of Kane Williamson, New Zealand needed a standout performance, and the young left-hander delivered. His brilliant knock of 123* (96) displayed not only his class and skill but also a maturity beyond his years, helping to propel the Black Caps’ World Cup campaign.
Despite the increased attention from opponents and their strategic game plans to contain him, Ravindra continued to showcase his exceptional talent and determination. He followed up his impressive performances with a score of 51 against the Netherlands, further solidifying his role as a critical contributor to the team’s success. In a subsequent match against India in Dharamsala, Ravindra proved his mettle again, notching another half-century against a formidable opponent.
Demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion, Ravindra produced an outstanding 116 in a spirited chase against Australia at the same venue, followed by yet another century against Pakistan in Bengaluru. His remarkable run tally of 578 throughout the tournament made him the highest-scoring New Zealand player and placed him among the top performers of the entire competition, with only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Quinton de Kock managing to surpass his achievements.
As the Cricket World Cup commenced, New Zealand faced the challenge of reshuffling their lineup to compensate for the absence of key players. Undeterred, the Black Caps focused on maximizing the potential of their available talent rather than dwelling on what they lacked. Ravindra joined Devon Conway at 10/1 in their pursuit of England’s 283. He carefully assessed his first seven balls before unleashing a decisive offensive against Chris Woakes, smashing boundaries in consecutive deliveries.
Ravindra’s momentum grew as he fearlessly confronted Mark Wood, seizing another opportunity to display his prowess with a rapid-fire sequence that yielded ten runs in just two balls. Reaching his half-century in a mere 36 deliveries, Ravindra’s brilliant performance was a testament to his adaptability and determination.
Ravindra maintained his dominance as the match progressed, expertly tackling Moeen Ali’s and Adil Rashid’s spin bowling. He achieved his century in a swift 82 balls, pushing Liam Livingstone into the leg side to claim his well-deserved milestone. With Conway, Ravindra led the Black Caps to a comfortable victory, concluding the match in a mere 37 overs and further solidifying his reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the international cricket stage.
10 Test wickets at 21.70, economy 3.87
31 ODI wickets at 23.22, economy 6.48
6 T20I wickets at 23.33, economy 10.50
As the Proteas sought a fresh face to bolster their bowling attack, Gerald Coetzee rose to the occasion, proving his mettle on the grand stage of the Cricket World Cup. His achievements throughout the year were a testament to his consistency and prowess across all three formats, as evidenced by his impressive statistics: an average of two wickets per innings in Test cricket, a rate he surpassed in ODI cricket, and a remarkable wicket every 13 balls in the shortest format.
Coetzee’s ability to generate speeds over 145kph, coupled with his disciplined approach, first caught the attention of fans and pundits alike during his Test debut against the West Indies in Centurion in February. He claimed six wickets in the Johannesburg Test and a crucial wicket in the Boxing Day Test against India.
Despite concerns about South Africa’s pace department in the lead-up to the Cricket World Cup 2023, Coetzee’s performances throughout the tournament and the year proved that the team was in capable hands. With an impressive tally of 31 wickets at an average of 23.22, Coetzee’s consistency shone through. He went wicketless in only two ODI matches across the year, both against Australia in the pre-tournament series. As a result of his standout performances, many hailed Coetzee as one of the breakout stars of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Gerald Coetzee’s remarkable consistency throughout the tournament was evident in his solitary non-multiple-wicket performance, where he managed 1/57 against the Netherlands. However, he quickly rebounded with multiple standout performances, securing three-wicket hauls against England and Bangladesh and an impressive four-wicket haul against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad. Coetzee’s consistent contributions continued in the semi-final against Australia, where he claimed 2/47 in a spirited display while attempting to defend 212.
In addition to his ODI successes, Coetzee significantly impacted T20Is, claiming six wickets across four matches and just 13.2 overs. A highlight of his T20I performances was his stellar 3/32 against India in Gqeberha, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable force in the game’s shortest format. Throughout his performances, Gerald Coetzee demonstrated skill, consistency, and determination that undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the Proteas’ success.
Gerald Coetzee’s exceptional performance of 4/44 from 10 overs against Afghanistan is commendable. Still, his ability to apply constant pressure throughout the three phases of the innings highlights his versatility as a bowler.
Coetzee’s impact was evident as he removed Ibrahim Zadran in the last over of the Powerplay, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Furthermore, his crucial dismissal of Ikram Alikhil during the middle overs effectively stifled Afghanistan’s momentum, allowing South Africa to regain control of the game.
By consistently delivering wickets at critical junctures, Gerald Coetzee demonstrated his ability to adapt to different situations and contribute significantly to his team’s success. His impressive performance underscored his importance as a vital South African bowling attack member. It showcased his potential as a rising star in international cricket.
In a strategic move, the South African team held Gerald Coetzee back for a decisive final assault in the latter stages of Afghanistan’s innings. This tactical decision proved fruitful, as the young bowler claimed the wickets of Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, playing a pivotal role in restricting Afghanistan to a manageable total of 244.
Coetzee’s impactful performance set the stage for his teammates’ successful run chase. It ensured that South Africa carried significant momentum into the crucial semi-final stages of the World Cup. The young fast bowler’s ability to deliver under pressure and contribute to his team’s success in a high-stakes tournament further cements his reputation as a promising talent and a valuable asset to the Proteas’ bowling lineup.
31 ODI wickets at 24.06, economy 6.09
6 T20I wickets at 33.00, economy 12.37
2023 was a unique year for Sri Lankan cricket, as the team had to compete in the Cricket World Cup qualifier before advancing to the main tournament. Amidst this challenge, 23-year-old Dilshan Madushanka emerged as a standout bowler for the team.
Interestingly, it was an unfortunate injury to Dushmantha Chameera during the Qualifier that provided Madushanka with the opportunity to truly showcase his talent. Brought in as a replacement, the left-arm bowler made the most of his chance and quickly made a name for himself.
Madushanka’s impressive debut saw him claim 1/38 (8) against the Netherlands. He continued to build momentum with a fantastic 3/15 (5) performance against Zimbabwe, where he dismissed both openers and Wessly Madhevere at No. 3. He followed this up with 1/49 (10) against the West Indies and a Player of the Match performance in the tournament final, taking 3/18 (7) in another meeting with the Dutch.
Carrying his form into the World Cup, Madushanka took 11 wickets in his first four matches, including a 4/49 (9.4) showing against the Netherlands. Throughout the main tournament, he consistently contributed, capturing 21 wickets at an average of 25, with memorable performances such as a five-wicket haul against India and 3/69 (10) against Bangladesh.
In the T20I format, Madushanka continued to shine, with six of his 12 wickets claimed at the T20 Asia Cup, maintaining an impressive economy of 25.83. Overall, Madushanka’s breakthrough year demonstrated his immense potential and cemented his status as a rising star in Sri Lankan cricket.
Dilshan Madushanka dismantled India’s top order during a tense Cricket World Cup group stage match at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium in a memorable display of bowling prowess. His name dominated the top of India’s scorecard, claiming five of their top six batters.
Madushanka set the tone early, silencing the crowd with a devastating delivery to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the first over. He continued his onslaught by removing Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in consecutive overs through the middle phase of the innings.
Later, Madushanka struck twice at the death, snaring the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer. While the young bowler conceded 80 runs, his remarkable performance left a lasting impression on the partisan crowd, earning him well-deserved respect and recognition.
288 Test runs at 57.60
430 T20I runs at 33.07, Strike Rate 159.25
In 2023, young Indian cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal, now 22, capitalized on the opportunities that came his way.
In July, he made his Test debut in the Caribbean, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination. During the match held in Dominica, he scored a remarkable century as an opener, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance. His outstanding efforts on the field earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match honors. In the second Test, he added 57 and 38 runs, with the latter being part of a 139-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma.
In addition to his Test debut, Jaiswal further showcased his versatility as a cricketer during the same tour by making his debut in the T20I format.After a rough start, he bounced back with an unbeaten 84 from 51 balls. He continued to shine at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, scoring 100 (49) against Nepal and notching up half-centuries against Australia (53 from 25 balls) and South Africa (60 from 41 balls).
Jaiswal’s strong performances suggest that an ODI debut may be on the horizon, and he looks forward to more success in 2024.
Indian cricket fans were undoubtedly excited when another U19 World Cup star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, made his senior debut, and the left-handed batsman didn’t disappoint. He showcased remarkable endurance at the Windsor Park crease, scoring 171 runs over eight hours and setting the stage for an Indian victory against the West Indies by an innings.
Jaiswal’s stellar innings featured 16 fours and a six. He became the 17th Indian Player to score a century on Test debut and the seventh to accomplish this feat away from home.
The remarkable 229-run opening partnership between Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma was not only a testament to their exceptional teamwork and individual batting prowess, but also secured its place in the record books as the second-highest opening partnership for India in Test matches against the West Indies.This strong start allowed India to declare a commanding total of 421/5, setting the foundation for their eventual victory.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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