India may not have won the 2023 ODI World Cup, but their mesmerizing display in the run-up the final has been symbolized by their dominant presence in the ICC ODI Team of the Year, released by the International Cricket Council on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (More Cricket News)
As many as six Indian players are a part of the XI, and home team captain Rohit Sharma has been named as the skipper for ICC's team too. The other Men In Blue members who were included in the side are Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami.
All these players put up sparkling performances across the 50-over tourney, which witnessed India's invincibility all through the group stage and the semi-final, only for Australia to turn up an incredible performance in the final and clinch a record-extending sixth ODI World Cup title.
The ICC team also features two Aussies - final hero Travis Head and star leg-spinner Adam Zampa - and two South Africa players in the form of seamer Marco Jansen and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen. New Zealand middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell is also part of the elite team.
Rohit and Shubman Gill are the openers. While the Indian captain accumulated 1,255 runs at an average of 52 last year, the latter struck a brilliant 208 against the Kiwis and also finished as the highest run-scorer (1,584) in the format.
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At number three is Travis Head, who was consistent throughout the year and performed exceptionally well during the global event, with his 137 in the final being the highlight.
The middle-order comprises Kohli, followed by Mitchell, Klaasen and Jansen.
Kohli finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the year in ODIs (1,337) and slammed six centuries during the year. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of most international tons, besides winning the Player of the Tournament award during the World Cup.
Mitchell scored five centuries and accumulated 1,204 runs at an average of 52.34 and a strike rate of 100.24. Klaasen too dominated the whole year with the bat, with his highlight being the match-winning 174 versus Australia in Centurion.
The bowling attack is a heady mix of pace and spin, with Zampa, Siraj, Kuldeep and Shami along with Jansen making a potent line-up.
Zampa took 38 wickets in the entire year at an average of 26.31 and also fetched a four-for in three successive World Cup fixtures, besides finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition.
Siraj came up with 44 wickets in the year, the high point being six for 21 against Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup final that India won deservingly.
Kuldeep captured 49 ODI wickets last year, with his best figures being five for 25 versus Pakistan during the Asia Cup's Super-Four stage.
Shami was dominant throughout the year, claiming four fifers, while his best figures were seven for 57 against New Zealand during the World Cup semi-final in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the ICC ODI Women's Team of the Year 2023 was also announced, but no Indian found a place in it.
(With PTI inputs)
