'The Comeback Of...,’ Gavaskar Names 'This' Star Cricketer As The Best Player Of 2023
Gill found his mojo with the bat in 2023. (AP)
Legendary Indian cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar has identified India's fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as a strong contender for the title of India's best performer of 2023, citing his remarkable comeback after recovering from back surgery.
Recovering from any injury is a formidable challenge, particularly for a fast bowler. However, Bumrah made the journey appear seamless. After a prolonged absence from international cricket due to injury, Bumrah delivered an exceptional performance, claiming 28 wickets with an impressive economy of 4.40 in 16 ODI innings last year. In the only Test innings he bowled, he bagged four wickets, and in the two T20Is he participated in, he took four wickets.
During the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' Gavaskar faced the difficult task of selecting India's standout performer of 2023. In response, he acknowledged the strong performances of Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and the remarkable return of Jasprit Bumrah. Gavaskar also highlighted Virat Kohli's phenomenal batting in the World Cup, where he amassed three centuries and five fifties in nine or ten innings.
"That's a tough one because I think there are plenty of contenders. Shubman Gill himself, Mohammed Shami with the way he bowled, Mohammed Siraj with the way he bowled in the finals of the Asia Cup. The comeback of Jasprit Bumrah and, of course, the absolutely incredible batting of Virat Kohli in the World Cup where he got three hundreds and about five fifties in nine or 10 innings,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.
Gavaskar eventually bestowed the title of the best Indian cricketer of 2023 upon the young and prolific Shubman Gill. Gill showcased his prowess in ODI cricket, accumulating 1584 runs in 29 innings at an impressive average of 63.36 and a strike rate of 105.45. However, his performances in Tests and T20Is were comparatively modest, with 258 and 312 runs, and averages of 28.67 and 26.00, respectively.
My Breakout performer- Shubman Gill: Gavaskar
Regarding Gill's breakout performance, Gavaskar remarked,
"Breakout performer, I would imagine would be Shubman Gill for the way he batted throughout the 2023 season in all formats of the game. Test cricket, at the start, he was unstoppable."
Gavaskar also gave honorable mentions to other standout performers. Virat Kohli, the highest run-scorer in the 2023 World Cup, amassed 765 runs, including three hundreds and six fifties, in 11 innings at an outstanding average of 95.62. Mohammed Shami, the leading wicket-taker of 2023 World Cup, claimed 24 wickets in just seven innings at an astonishing average of 10.70. Mohammed Siraj, with 60 wickets in 34 international matches at an impressive average of 23.78, showcased his ability to dismantle batting line-ups with precision, including a remarkable 6/21.
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