The 2023 has been a cricket season with the Ashes series, the Asian Champion League, and the ongoing Men’s World Cup. Cricket enthusiasts around the world are quite elated as this ongoing cricket season has already provided them with fun, joy, excitement, and exhilaration. This year was a highly anticipated season not just because of the action-packed season but also because of the return of certain players to international cricket after a long layoff due to injuries or other personal reasons.
This year, many cricketers have been consistently performing well in order to be in good shape and remain in good form for major tournaments like the Asian Champion League and Men’s World Cup ODI. However, the spotlight was on some of the best international cricketers who put on a good show and impressed the cricketing audience with their exceptional performances. The legacy of the best cricketers has been well-defined by their performance and the impact they have had on the team. Since Cricket itself is a competitive sport with a lot of players sweating out hard to create an impression in the cricketing world, it is quite difficult to handpick the best cricketers among them. However, we will dig into the top 10 cricketers of the year 2023 and also take a look at how these cricketers have performed throughout the year so far.
Here Are the Top 10 Cricketers in the World in 2023:
1. S Gill (IND)
S Gill has been considered one of the future stars not just in Indian cricket but also in the international arena. He is a talented batsman and had shown a lot of promise during his U-19 days. Over the last few years, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of the promising young talents in international cricket. He is often considered a potential successor to India’s former captain and batting legend V Kohli. The 2023 has been a breakthrough year for S Gill, becoming one of the batting mainstays of India’s top-order in all three formats of the game. In this year alone, Gill has amassed 1764 runs, including a double century and six centuries, at an impressive average of 51.88 in 36 matches across all formats. S Gill is currently part of India’s squad for the Men’s World Cup ODI, where he will look to continue his batting exploits in the tournament.
2. B Azam (PAK)
B Azam has evolved into one of the greatest batsmen in the modern era of cricket. He is the captain of Pakistan and also one of the most reliable batsmen for the team. Azam’s brilliant statistics in all formats of the game have often led him to carry significant pressure on his shoulders, delivering consistent performances. What sets him apart is his ability to match the caliber of former Indian captain V Kohli. Over the last few years, Azam shattered several cricketing records. He has already the distinction of all-time great in the modern cricket era. The 28-year-old is currently the World No.1 batsman in ODI cricket. In 2023, B Azam has carried on his brilliant form and is currently the leading run-scorer for Pakistan across all formats, aggregating 1002 runs, including three centuries and six fifties, at an average of 43.46 in 24 matches. B Azam will be leading Pakistan in the Men’s World Cup ODI.
3. T Head (AUS)
T Head has been one of the key batters for Australia in ODIs and Tests over the last few years. He is a very reliable middle-order batsman who can stabilize the innings with his batting exploits. In the last two years, T Head has been consistently performing well and cemented his place in Australia’s ODI and Test Playing XI. The 29-year-old’s consistency has made him a vital asset for Australia in both formats. In 2023, T Head is the leading run-scorer for Australia across all three formats, amassing 1204 runs, including a century and eighth fifties, at an average of 46.30 in 20 matches. T Head is part of the Australia team in the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 and will look to contribute significantly to the team’s campaign in the prestigious tournament.
4. S Afridi (PAK):
Ever since making his international debut for Pakistan as a teenager, S Afridi established himself as one of the premier pacers in world cricket. The 22-year-old is a very fiery bowler whose swing bowling would often trouble the best batsmen in the world. Afridi has been the leading pace bowler for Pakistan in the last few years. He is a proper three-format bowler who has the ability to mix yorkers and hostile short deliveries. In 2023, S Afridi has had a decent year and is currently the second leading wicket-taker for Pakistan, scalping 36 wickets at an average of 25.27 and an economy rate of 5.12 in 19 matches so far. Though Afridi made his international comeback in July this year, he still produced good performances in the last couple of months. S Afridi is part of the Pakistan squad for the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
5. J Root (ENG):
J Root is often considered one of the finest batsmen England has ever produced. He is currently the best batsman among the active cricketers in Tests. The 32-year-old has been one of the consistent performers in red-ball cricket for over a decade. However, he couldn’t replicate his form in the white-ball cricket. In 2023, J Root is the second leading run-scorer for England across all formats, aggregating 903 runs, including two centuries and five fifties, at an average of 53.11 in 13 matches. J Root’s batting averages are not as glaring as some of the other best batsmen in the world, but much of that can be ascribed to playing so much of his cricket on English pitches. Nonetheless, his batting quality has always been rated high. J Root is currently part of the England squad for the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
6. V Kohli (IND):
V Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen the cricketing world has ever seen. Recently, the 34-year-old became the fastest batsman to score 13,000 runs in ODI cricket. Over the last year, Kohli has been playing really good cricket after coming out of a rough patch. He has really turned his game around by consistently performing well over the last year. In 2023, Kohli is currently the third-leading run-scorer across all formats, amassing 1169 runs, including five centuries and two fifties, at an average of 55.66 in 23 matches. Kohli has played only Tests and ODIs this year as he has taken a backseat in the T20Is to keep his focus on longer formats of the game. The former India captain has really worked hard on his game, making him one of the top cricketers in 2023. Kohli is currently part of the India squad for the Men’s World Cup, where he will look to put on a good show with his willow.
7. S Smith (AUS)
S Smith is one of the finest batsmen in the history of India. He has ample achievements and records under his belt. Though he is often considered a Test player, Smith has a good record in ODIs. Since averaging over 110 in the 2019 Ashes, Smith has been slightly less productive in Test cricket but he is among the elite batters in the longest format of the game. S Smith has succeeded in all surfaces. Even on a tough pitch, he will look the batting easy, such is his caliber. In 2023, S Smith has had a decent outing across all three formats of the game. He scored 914 runs, including 3 centuries and 3 fifties, at an average of 39.73 in 17 matches so far. After coming out of injury, he has gradually gotten into his rhythm. S Smith is currently part of the Australia squad for the Men’s World Cup.
8. M Siraj (IND)
M Siraj has had a great year in international cricket. Over the last couple of years, he has significantly improved his bowling, enabling him to bowl at good line and length consistently. The 28-year-old has become the go-to bowler for early breakthroughs. He began his journey as a mediocre and eventually went on to become India’s most reliable bowler. In 2023, M Siraj has been brilliant across all game formats, scalping 43 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 19.23 and an economy rate of 3.90 in 20 matches. The right-arm pacer is currently the World No.1 bowler in ODI. Siraj has really turned his game around with his exceptional bowling, making him one of the key bowlers for India across all the formats. M Siraj has recently made his World Cup debut in the Men’s World Cup ODI 2023.
9. D Conway (NZ)
D Conway has been one of New Zealand’s best batters over the last few years. He was shot to fame when he scored a double century in his Test debut against England in January 2020. With his consistent performances across all formats, the 32-year-old has cemented his place in the New Zealand team. Ever since the retirement of R Taylor, he has become the backbone of NZ’s top-order alongside K Williamson. Conway continues to deliver his best performance across all the formats. This year, D Conway is currently the 2nd leading run-scorer for New Zealand, aggregating 1054 runs, including five centuries and as many fifties, at an average of 43.91 in 22 matches so far. Though Conway made it to the New Zealand squad late in his career, still managed to prove his mettle in international cricket. D Conway is part of the New Zealand team for the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
10. M Starc (AUS)
M Starc has been often considered one of the best bowlers in the world. He has evolved as among the most unplayable bowlers whose swing bowling can trouble the best batsmen in the world. He has the ability to perform better in any conditions. In 2023, the 33-year-old has had a brilliant season with 38 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 29.60 and an economy rate of 5.00 in 11 matches. Though he is particularly skilled in ODI matches, Starc’s best performance of the season came in the Ashes series, where he scalped 23 wickets from five matches. M Starc’s performance signifies his brilliance as an exceptional bowler across all the formats of the game. Ahead of Australia’s opening game against India in the Men’s World Cup 2023, Starc scalped a hat-trick of wickets against Netherlands in the warm-up. M Starc is one of the top bowlers in 2023.
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