The 2023 edition of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup came to an end on Sunday (November 19), with Australia defeating India in the final by six wickets to lift the coveted trophy for the record-extending sixth time.
After the title clash, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the team of the tournament on the basis of phenomenal individual performances in the marquee event.
Here’s the official ICC Team of the Tournament:
1. Quinton de Kock (South Africa) (wk)
South Africa’s opener was in great form during the league stage, smashing four centuries, including a whirlwind 174 against Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium. The southpaw amassed scored 594 runs at a strike rate of 107.02 across the tournament, with only Indian pair Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scoring more.
2. Rohit Sharma (India) (c)
The India captain and opener set the tone at the top of the order for the hosts, hitting 597 runs at a strike rate of 125.94, with only his teammate Virat Kohli scoring more.
3. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli produced an all-time great run of form, scoring the most runs ever by an individual batter at a men’s Cricket World Cup. His 765 surpassed the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar (673 in 2003) and came at an average of 96.62.
4. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
New Zealand made it to the semi-finals on the back of a mountain of runs, and Daryl Mitchell played a big part in that. The right-hander aggregated 552 runs in nine innings at an average of 69 and strike-rate of 111.06. He showcased great versatility – building platforms at times and upping the scoring rate at others.
5. KL Rahul (India)
KL Rahul was consistent for his side throughout the World Cup as he amassed a decent total of 452 runs at an average of 75.33 from 10 outings. He impressed mainly during the middle overs, scoring a tournament best 102 against the Netherlands in Bengaluru and contributing an even better innings of 97* against Australia at the start of the event.
6. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
Glenn Maxwell provided two all-time moments with the bat. His century against the Netherlands was the fastest ever seen at a Men’s Cricket World Cup, coming off just 40 balls.
His effort against Afghanistan was even more extraordinary. With Australia requiring 292 and slipping to 91/7, Maxwell produced arguably the greatest individual innings of all-time, scoring 201* from 128 balls as he battled pressure, Afghanistan’s spinners and crippling cramp to take his team over the line.
7. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
India’s spin-bowling all-rounder played a crucial role for his team, taking key wickets throughout the middle overs and consistently turning the screw. His economy rate was among the best in the tournament, going for 4.25 per over as he brilliantly backed up the new-ball attack.
With the bat he played an important role at number seven too, scoring 120 runs in his five appearances in the middle.
8. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
India’s pace spearhead was relentless in his excellence. While being a threat in all sections of the innings, it was Bumrah’s new-ball brilliance that made the biggest impact for his team.
He finished the tournament with 20 wickets at an average of 18.65 and an economy rate of 4.06.
9. Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s left-arm speedster Dilshan Madushanka was a revelation. His 21 wickets put him firmly in the tournament’s top five wicket-takers, and he was a relentless threat with the new ball.
10. Adam Zampa (Australia)
Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament, Adam Zampa equalled Muttiah Muralidaran for most wickets by a spinner in a single Men’s Cricket World Cup. His 23 wickets came at an average of 22.39 and the leg-spinner took three consecutive four-wicket hauls in the league stage.
11. Mohammed Shami (India)
Mohammed Shami was simply extraordinary for the Indian team during the World Cup 2023. The right-arm quick sat out his team’s first four matches, but was remarkable from thereon in, taking 24 wickets at an average of just 10.70.
Shami starred with the ball in India’s 70-run victory over New Zealand in the semi-final as he returned with the career-best figures of 7/57 in 9.5 overs.
12th: Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)
South Africa needed a spark in their attack in the absence of Anrich Nortje, and found it in young Gerald Coetzee. He bowled with pace and threat throughout the campaign, taking 20 wickets across his eight matches. The 23-year-old finished with an average of 19.80 and economy of 6.23.
(With ICC Inputs)
