Suryakumar Captains ICC T20I Team; Jaiswal, Bishnoi, Arshdeep included

Suryakumar Yadav, the middle-order batsman from India, has been appointed as the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year, which features players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh. Meanwhile, in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year, the sole Indian representative is all-rounder Deepti Sharma. This marks Suryakumar's second consecutive inclusion in the Men’s T20I team of the year, and he is currently a contender for the T20I Men’s Cricketer of the Year. Notably, his initial performance in 2023 saw him scoring just seven runs against Sri Lanka.

He bounced back with scores of 51 (36) and 112 not out (51) in the next two matches. Consistent scoring in 20s to 40s continued, before an innings of 83 (44) against the West Indies in Providence reminded everyone of his capabilities in the shortest format. He ended the series against the West Indies with a knock of 61 (45) in Florida. Suryakumar also took the India T20I captaincy, with Rohit Sharma on break from the format and Hardik Pandya being injured. He made half-centuries against Australia (80 off 42 balls) and South Africa (56 from 36 balls) in the 4-1 series win, before posting an even 100 against the Proteas off just 56 balls in their final T20I of the year in Johannesburg, as India won the series 2-1.

Jaiswal, who marked his T20I debut for India in 2023, joins Suryakumar Yadav in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year. The left-handed, aggressive opener has accumulated 430 runs in 14 innings at an impressive strike rate of 159. Despite facing a setback on his debut against the West Indies, Jaiswal bounced back with an impressive 51-ball 84 not out in Florida. Subsequently, he showcased his prowess at the Asian Games by scoring a remarkable 100 off just 49 balls against Nepal, contributing significantly to India’s gold-medal-winning campaign.

Leg-spinner Bishnoi took 18 wickets in just 44 overs across the year and was even ranked at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I bowler rankings. Bishnoi travelled on India’s tour of Ireland, taking four wickets across two matches, before being picked in the Asian Games squad to compete in Hangzhou, taking five wickets, including 3/24 against Nepal. He then claimed a wicket in every match against the Aussies, with back-to-back spells of 3/32 and 2/32 hammering his name into the team and also taking the Player of the Series award.

Arshdeep, the left-arm fast-bowler, maintained his impressive form in 2023, showcasing resilience despite occasional struggles with rhythm. He secured 26 wickets in 21 T20I appearances for India during the year. Notable highlights include a commendable spell of 3/20 against Sri Lanka, followed by two two-wicket hauls against New Zealand early in the year. After a hiatus, Arshdeep made a strong comeback in August during the USA and Caribbean tour, delivering a notable performance of 3/38 in Lauderhill against the West Indies. His success continued at the Asian Games in October, where he claimed four wickets in Hangzhou.

Deepti Sharma stands as the sole Indian representative in the Women’s T20I Team of the Year. The off-spinner made an impactful contribution, securing 21 wickets in 17 appearances, which included four three-wicket hauls in the early part of the year. Notably, her crucial spell of 3/15 in four overs against the West Indies played a pivotal role in India advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament. Beyond her bowling prowess, Deepti also showcased her batting skills when needed, accumulating 106 runs at a rate exceeding one run per ball.