The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the men’s T20I team of the year on Monday, 22 January. India batter Suryakumar Yadav was named the captain of the side while Ravi Bishnoi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh were the three other Indians to be included in the team.
Suryakumar Yadav had a sensational 2023 in the T20I format and was the top run scorer among the full-time nations. Suryakumar scored 733 runs from 18 matches and hit two terrific centuries. Yadav’s latest century came while playing against South Africa where he hit a century off just 56 balls. His century helped India draw the T20I series against South Africa after going 0-1 down.
Apart from Suryakumar Yadav, three Indians were named in the side. Swashbuckling opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 430 runs off just 15 matches was named as the opener of the side alongside Suryakumar Yadav. Jaiswal also hit a T20I century in 2023. In the bowling department, India spinner Ravi Bishnoi and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was named in the playing XI.
Ravi Bishnoi
Bishnoi saw a sensational rise in stature in 2023 and was also named the best bowler in the world right after the conclusion of the home T20I series against Australia. Boshnoi has risen in stature since and is expected to make it to the T20 World Cup 2024 squad for India.
Arshdeep Singh
The left-arm speedster picked up 26 wickets from 21 matches in 2023 and was named alongside Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava and Ireland’s Mark Aider in the bowling line-up. Arshdeep’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death makes him a unique asset for any team that he plays in.
Apart from the Indian contingent, the top XI was not dominated by any of the international teams. Defending world champions had just one candidate – Phil Salt – who scored back to back hundreds against West Indies. Zimbabwe’s Sikander Raza was named in the all-rounder’s slot for his fantastic outings in 2023, while Alpesh Ramjani from Uganda got a much deserved pick for taking his team through to the T20 World Cup 2024.
India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not named in the side since they did not play a single T20I match in 2023.
ICC men’s T20I team of the Year
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Phil Salt, Nicholas Pooran, Mark Chapman, Sikandar Raza, Alpesh Ramjani, Mark Adair, Ravi Bishnoi, Richard Ngarava, Arshdeep Singh.
