In a cricketing year marked by outstanding performances, Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has once again etched his name in the record books, securing the ICC ODI Player of the Year award for an unprecedented fourth time. Kohli’s stellar display in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he amassed a record-breaking 765 runs, played a pivotal role in India’s journey to the finals.
Kohli’s 2023 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing a remarkable comeback from his temporary dip in form in 2022. The 35-year-old not only secured the ICC ODI Player of the Year but also stands among the four nominees for the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year 2023 award.
The Indian No.3’s performances in the World Cup were nothing short of legendary. Kohli scored at least a half-century in nine out of eleven innings, culminating in a staggering 765 runs, surpassing the previous record held by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar in 2003. His consistency was remarkable, finishing the tournament with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31, including three centuries, one of which came in the crucial semi-final against New Zealand.
Despite India’s heart-wrenching loss in the final, Kohli’s contributions did not go unnoticed as he rightfully secured the Player of the Tournament title. His sensational run in the World Cup contributed significantly to India’s success throughout the tournament.
In the broader context of 2023, Kohli’s bat seemed to be on fire across all formats, amassing a total of 2,048 runs in 36 international innings. Notably, he went head-to-head with fellow teammate Shubman Gill for the leading run-scorer title, securing it with an impressive eight centuries across formats, one more than Gill.
One of the most significant milestones achieved by Kohli during the year was surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s historic record for the most ODI hundreds. Kohli became the first cricketer to achieve 50 centuries in 50-over cricket, underlining his status as one of the greatest modern-day batsmen.
ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Pat Cummins
While Kohli’s achievements stood out, the ICC Awards 2023 also celebrated other cricketing luminaries. Australia’s Pat Cummins bagged the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, riding on the back of a stellar year with notable victories in the ICC World Test Championship Final, the Ashes, and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The awards also recognized outstanding performances across various categories, with players like Usman Khawaja, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Suryakumar Yadav, and Chamari Athapaththu making significant contributions in their respective formats.
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2023: Usman Khawaja
ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2023: Nat Sciver-Brunt
ICC Women’s ODI Cricket of the Year 2023: Chamari Athapaththu
ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023: Suryakumar Yadav
The ICC Men’s and Women’s Teams of the Year for Test, ODI, and T20 formats were also announced, featuring some of the standout performers from the year. Notable inclusions were the likes of Rohit Sharma, Travis Head, Beth Mooney, and Suryakumar Yadav, reflecting the diversity of talent in international cricket.
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for 2023: Akeal Hosein
In the spirit of cricket, the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award for 2023 was heartwarmingly awarded to West Indies’ Akeal Hosein for a moment of sportsmanship during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
Other ICC Awards 2023:
ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023: Bas de Leede
ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023: Queentor Abel
ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023: Matthews
ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023: Rachin Ravindra
ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023: Litchfield
ICC Umpire of the Year 2023: Richard Illingworth
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming season, the achievements of these players in 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as some of the finest moments in the sport’s history. Virat Kohli, with his record-breaking feats, has once again proven why he is a cricketing legend, and his journey continues to inspire aspiring cricketers around the globe.