Yashasvi Jaiswal Nominated for ICC Emerging Cricketer 2023

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prominent Indian batsman, has been selected as a nominee for the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023 award, alongside three other global cricketing talents, as declared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). "A pair of exciting fast bowlers and two classy left-hand batters are in the running for ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year honours for 2023", ICC said in an official statement.

Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand, Gerald Coetzee, the pace sensation from South Africa, and Sri Lanka's Dilshan Madushanka are in the running for the award. In 2023, the cricketing landscape provided numerous chances for young talents to shine for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal, a 22-year-old, seized nearly every opportunity that arose, delivering impressive performances against formidable opponents. 

Jaiswal was given his Test debut in the Caribbean in July, and he made the most of it, scoring a century opening the batting in Dominica and winning Player of the Match honours. In the second Test of the trip, he contributed 57 and 38, with the half-century coming in an opening partnership of 139 with Rohit Sharma. On the same tour, Jaiswal made his T20I debut, and despite a wobble in his first match, he replied with an innings of 84 from only 51 balls. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, he scored an even 100 (49) against Nepal, followed by half-centuries against Australia (53 from 25 balls) and South Africa (60 from 41 balls).

Before 2023, Rachin Ravindra had already represented his country in the other two cricket formats. However, it was in the ODI format, where he made his debut in March, that his capabilities truly came to the fore. Displaying early promise, he scored a 49-ball century against Sri Lanka and showcased his bowling skills with three-wicket hauls against Pakistan and England, both on foreign soil. He continued to impress with a half-century at Lord's against England. However, it was in the World Cup that Ravindra truly stood out. In the absence of Kane Williamson, the young left-hander displayed remarkable class and mental acuity beyond his years, delivering a memorable innings of 123 runs off 96 balls.

Despite the increased attention and opponent gameplans, Ravindra continued to demonstrate his class. A 51-ball knock against the Dutch was followed by another half-century against India at Dharamsala. Ravindra didn't stop there, scoring 116 in a gallant chase against Australia at the same venue, followed by another century against Pakistan in Bengaluru. Ravindra's 578 runs were the most by a New Zealand player in the competition, with only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Quinton de Kock scoring more.

Gerald Coetzee showcased resilience, particularly in the pressure of a Cricket World Cup, as the Proteas sought a fresh bowling talent. With speeds surpassing 145kph, Coetzee marked his Test debut in February by claiming three wickets in 18 overs against the West Indies in Centurion.

South Africa faced concerns in the pace department on paper leading up to the Cricket World Cup 2023, particularly after Anrich Nortje's exclusion. However, Coetzee's performance both in the lead-up and during the tournament alleviated any worries. Overall, Coetzee secured 31 wickets at an impressive average of 23.22, registering only two wicketless outings throughout the year, both against Australia in their preparation series for the global tournament. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Madushanka initiated with a 1/38 (8) display against the Netherlands, followed by an explosive 3/15 (5) performance against Zimbabwe, dismissing both openers and Wessly Madhevere at No.3.