In a triumphant moment for former India captain Virat Kohli, he has secured the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award for the 2023 season, amplifying his already illustrious cricketing journey. Kohli played a pivotal role in guiding Rohit Sharma’s Team India during the ICC World Cup 2023, showcasing exceptional batting prowess that propelled the Men In Blue to the tournament final on home soil.
During this remarkable season, Kohli stood out among the finalists, which included pacer Mohammed Shami, opener Shubman Gill, and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell. His contributions were nothing short of extraordinary, amassing 1377 runs, claiming a wicket, and taking 12 catches across 27 matches for the two-time world champions. Notably, Kohli concluded the 2023 World Cup as the leading run-scorer, scoring a record-breaking 765 runs, surpassing even cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
After reclaiming his top form in 2022, Kohli continued his outstanding performance in the 2023 World Cup, earning him the Player of the Tournament accolade. His consistency was evident through nine half-centuries in eleven innings during the 50-over World Cup. Furthermore, he set a new world record by becoming the first batsman to achieve 50 centuries in the ODI format, achieving this milestone with an impressive average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31.
As Kohli basked in the glory of his achievements, the ICC also recognized other outstanding players in world cricket. Usman Khawaja was named the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2023, while Suryakumar Yadav claimed the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for the same period. Additionally, Australian skipper Pat Cummins, after leading the Test Team of the Year in the 2023 season, was honored with the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers trophy.
This season’s ICC awards thus celebrated excellence across formats, highlighting the exceptional performances that shaped the cricketing landscape in 2023.
