Suryakumar Yadav, Smriti Mandhana nominated for T20I Cricketer of the Year

Suryakumar played brilliantly in T20 World Cup 2022

The International Cricket Council has released its list of nominees for the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year in both Men's and Women's categories. India's Surya Kumar Yadav and Smriti Mandhana are both in contention for the award in their respective categories. 

Other nominees in the men's category include Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza, Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan, and England's Sam Curran. 

Along with Mandhana, Pakistan's Nida Dar, New Zealand's Sophie Devine, and Australia's Tahlia McGrath are eying the converted Women's T20I Player of the Year award. 

Surya Kumar Yadav

Yadav had a sensational 2022, scoring over 1,164 runs in 31 matches, which include two hundred and nine fifties. His performance for India in the T20 World Cup was phenomenal, where he registered three half-centuries and maintained a strike rate of over 189. 

Raza elevated himself to newer heights this year, finishing with 735 and 25 wickets for Zimbabwe. The all-rounder shined noticeably in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

Curran, who was awarded Player of the Tournament at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, picked up 25 wickets in 2022. His spell in the final against Pakistan helped England clinch their second T20 title. 

A mainstay for Pakistan in the T20I, Rizwan amassed 996 runs in the year. The wicketkeeper-batter notched up 10 fifties and averaged over 45 in T20Is in 2022. 

Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana is the lone batter in the field, while all the others candidates are top all-rounders for their side. This is the second consecutive time that Mandhana has been nominated in this category.

In 2022, alone the left-handed Indian opener has amassed 594 runs, including five fifties. She has impressive outings in Commonwealth Games 2022, and Asia Cup 2022. 

Pakistan's Dar had a fruitful 2022, scoring 396 runs and picking up 15 wickets. Dar's breakthrough series came in the Women's Asia Cup 2022, where she scored runs and picked up 8 wickets.

White Fern captain Devine accumulated 389 runs and claimed 13 wickets in 2022, cementing her place as the No.1 ranked all-rounder in the ICC Women's T20I Rankings.

Australia's McGrath, ever since making her debut last year, has only grown in stature. The lanky all-rounder has 435 runs this year apart from claiming 13 wickets. 

Also Read: Arshdeep, Renuka among Indians nominated for ICC Emerging Cricketers of 2022