Cricket in 2023: The yr of yellow

In a yr the place groups donning the yellow jersey dominated, cricket in 2023 noticed many data tumble by way of viewership, staff, and particular person achievements.

After fully breaking free from the chains of COVID-19, it was enterprise as regular. Followers have been welcomed again, and the ICC mega-events stole the headlines.

JANUARY

India wins girls’s U19 T20 World Cup (January 14)

India grew to become the primary ever girls’s U19 T20 World Cup champion, comprehensively beating England by seven wickets within the remaining. It was an all-round efficiency by the Ladies in Blue, with Soumya Tiwari prime scoring with an unbeaten 24, and Titas Sadhu chipping in with figures of two for six.

Shubman Gill turns into sixth Indian to attain ODI double century (January 18)

In a match towards the touring Kiwis that additionally noticed the teen from Punjab turn into the quickest Indian to 1000 ODI runs, the 24-year-old smashed a 149-ball 208, becoming a member of an elite checklist comprising legends Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.

FEBRUARY

Saurashtra wins Ranji Trophy (February 16)

Saurashtra defeated Bengal by 9 wickets to clinch its second Ranji Trophy 2022-23 title on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Superior Aussies clinch Ladies’s T20 World Cup (February 26)

The victory was their sixth total, and so they have accomplished a ‘three-peat’ underneath the captaincy of Meg Lanning, successful in 2018, 2020, and now 2023. Beth Mooney prime scored with 74*, and the 156-run goal proved to be an excessive amount of for the Proteas, who fell quick by 20 runs.

MARCH

India comes out on prime in Border-Gavaskar Trophy conflict (March 13)

Pat Cummins and Co. got here into the collection with redemption on the again of their minds after shedding towards India in their very own yard. Nevertheless, the Indian staff, which is a special beast at house on spinning tracks, proved to be one problem too many because it sealed the collection 2-1 and retained the trophy. Australia did depart with some comfort, although, because it gained the ODI collection that adopted.

Mumbai Indians wins inaugural WPL (March 26)

The Mumbai Indians-led Harmanpreet Kaur defeated the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets within the remaining. It was a historic victory for the house facet, which etched its identify in historical past books as the primary champion of the Ladies’s Premier League.

APRIL

Rinku’s Excessive 5 efficiency (April 09)

With KKR needing 28 runs to win off the final 5 balls, Rinku smashed GT pacer Yash Dayal for 5 sixes to take the Knight Riders house.

MAY

Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks IPL report for quickest fifty (Might 11)

The Rajasthan Royals opener smashed a 13-ball fifty towards Kolkata Knight Riders, breaking the earlier report held by KL Rahul (14 balls).

Kohli-Gambhir-Naveen spat (Might 1)

The incident befell when RCB confronted LSG on the latter’s house floor in Lucknow. A fired-up Virat Kohli was not one thing the LSG followers and the staff appreciated, which led to an altercation between Kohli and Lucknow pacer Naveen-ul-Haq. The scenes continued post-game too. Naveen and Kohli didn’t maintain themselves again, and this prompted then-LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir to get entangled.

Shabnim Ismail retires from worldwide cricket (Might 03)

Eager to spend extra time together with her household, the South African pacer, who is taken into account to be the quickest within the recreation, drew curtains on her 16-year worldwide profession. Ismail’s 191 ODI wickets are the second-most within the girls’s recreation, behind Jhulan Goswami, whereas her 123 T20I wickets are the fourth-biggest profession haul for any bowler.

CSK wins record-equalling fifth IPL title (Might 29)

Within the IPL remaining between Chennai Tremendous Kings and Gujarat Titans, the match was predominantly in favour of Gujarat Titans, largely because of Sai Sudharshan’s 96. Regardless of dealing with a difficult goal of 215, Devon Conway’s fast 47 runs off 29 balls and Ravindra Jadeja’s spectacular last-over efficiency, scoring 10 runs off the ultimate two balls, led the Chennai Tremendous Kings to victory.

JUNE

Australia wins World Take a look at Championship remaining (June 11)

Australia convincingly defeated India by 209 runs within the remaining on the Oval. Centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith established a powerful basis for the Aussies. This marked India’s second consecutive loss in a WTC remaining, having been defeated by New Zealand within the earlier one.

JULY

Jonny Bairstow’s run out incident (July 02)

The England wicket-keeper was dismissed by Alex Carey within the first session on day 5 of the Lord’s Take a look at when he was discovered wandering exterior the crease after leaving a supply. Bairstow left the ultimate ball of Cameron Inexperienced’s over alone and began strolling exterior the crease assuming the ball was lifeless. Nevertheless, an alert Carey effected a direct-hit on the striker’s finish to catch Bairstow properly in need of his floor, leaving the batter fuming. The MCC legislation states that the ball shall be thought-about to be lifeless when it’s clear to the bowler’s finish umpire that the fielding facet and each batters on the wicket have ceased to treat it as in play. On this case, the Aussies nonetheless thought-about the ball to be in play.

SL and Ned qualify for World Cup, WI and Zim fail to make the reduce (July 09)

It’s typically mentioned that everyone’s second favorite staff is West Indies. However sadly, it’s excessive reputation couldn’t translate into excessive degree performances, because the staff did not make the reduce for the ODI World Cup for the primary time since 1975. Zimbabwe couldn’t use house situations to its benefit because it did not make it to the ultimate 10 for the second successive time. Sri Lanka and Netherlands have been the 2 groups that made it by way of.

Stuart Broad publicizes retirement (July 30)

In a transfer that no person noticed coming, legendary England bowler Stuart Broad introduced his retirement from worldwide cricket following the conclusion of the Ashes. His profession highlights embrace his spell of 8 for 15 towards Australia, and changing into solely the second quick bowler in historical past to take 600 Take a look at wickets.

India tour of West Indies (July 12)

The guests sealed the Take a look at and ODI collection 1-0 and 2-1, respectively, whereas the house facet clinched the T20I collection 3-2.

Harmanpreet’s outburst (July 24)

Indian girls’s cricket staff captain Harmanpreet Kaur was handed a two-match ban by the ICC for shedding her mood in an ODI recreation towards Bangladesh over a dismissal. The 34-year-old smashed her stumps in disgust, and her verbal exchanges with the umpire and on-field behaviour additional resulted in her being fined 25 p.c of her match price.

Ashes 2023 ends in 2-2 stalemate; Australia retains urn (July 31)

Australia’s quest for an Ashes victory in England since 2005 couldn’t be achieved. Nevertheless, Pat Cummins and Co. managed to retain the Ashes after enjoying out an entertaining 2-2 draw towards an attacking English facet led by Ben Stokes. The cricket’s age-old rivalry lived as much as its expectations, as soon as once more. Whereas the Aussies gained the primary two video games, the Three Lions overturned the deficit by successful the following two video games. Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc topped the charts, with 496 runs and 23 wickets, respectively.

AUGUST

Viacom18 luggage TV, digital rights for India’s house matches in 2023-2028 cycle (August 31)

The digital rights have been offered for roughly Rs 3100 crore, whereas the estimated value for the tv rights has been Rs 2860 crore, which implies Viacom18 will shell out a complete of Rs 5960 crore – about Rs 67.7 crore per recreation.

SEPTEMBER

Senanayake arrested on expenses of match fixing (September 06)

Former Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake was arrested as he was alleged to have tried to persuade gamers to repair within the 2020 Lanka Premier League. Though he was not himself a participant on this event, the 38-year-old was alleged to have contacted multiple participant participating within the LPL. He was later granted bail on September 25 by the Colombo Chief Justice of the Peace’s courtroom.

India wins Asia Cup for the eighth time (September 17)

The 2023 version was held within the ODI format, with the World Cup in thoughts. A reasonably aggressive group stage paved the way in which for an India versus Sri Lanka remaining. Sadly, the ultimate was hardly a contest as Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell of 6 for 21 skittled out the Sri Lankans for 50. India coasted to victory with 10 wickets in hand, successful an eighth Asia Cup title, the right construct as much as the World Cup.

OCTOBER

Ravindra turns into youngest Kiwi batter to attain World Cup ton (October 05)

At 23 years and 301 days, Rachin Ravindra achieved the milestone within the opening recreation of the World Cup towards England. The person who has roots in Bangalore got here as an out-of-syllabus issue for the defending champion.

SA posts highest World Cup complete (October 07)

Centuries from Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram propelled the Proteas to a mammoth rating of 428, which is the very best complete posted by a staff in World Cup historical past.

India wins gold at Asian Video games (women and men) (October 07)

India extends unbeaten World Cup successful streak towards Pakistan (October 14)

The World Cup’s most anticipated group recreation was a reasonably one-sided one. India got here out on prime as soon as towards Pakistan in a World Cup recreation. India gained the sport by seven wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his figures of two for 19.

Afghanistan: Shedding the underdog tag (October 15)

Whereas Afghanistan has been backed for a few years now as a staff able to beating the massive weapons, the numbers to again that declare have been lacking. All that modified on the World Cup when the staff beat defending champion England. Furthermore, it wasn’t merely a win, however a convincing one.

IOC provides nod for cricket participation in Olympics 2028 (October 16)

Cricket within the T20 format is about to function for the primary time within the Olympics because the 1900s when the IOC (Worldwide Olympics Committee) gave its nod for a six-nation competitors in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Dutch get a maiden W (October 17)

The Netherlands replicated Afghanistan’s giant-killing act on the World Cup by beautiful the Proteas, unbeaten within the event till that recreation, by 38 runs.

Bishan Singh Bedi dies (October 23)

The legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi handed away after battling ailing well being.

NOVEMBER

England crashes out of World Cup (November 04)

The defending champion had a World Cup to neglect, exiting within the group stage. It solely managed to win three video games out of 9, a beneath par efficiency from a staff that was anticipated to make the highest 4 no less than.

Angelo Mathews turns into first batter to be timed out (November 06)

Controversy erupted in the course of the recreation between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh when SL all-rounder Angelo Mathews was given ‘timed-out’. As per the ICC enjoying situation, a brand new batter is given a most of two minutes to get able to face the ball. An alert Shakib al Hasan appealed for the wicket, when Matthews breached the two-minute mark. Mathews referred to as the act a ‘shame’, one thing that was not in step with the spirit of cricket.

Punjab wins Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (November 06)

Punjab beat Baroda to win its maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. Anmolpreet Singh’s 58-ball ton propelled Punjab to a aggressive goal of 224, after which Arshdeep Singh’s three essential wickets within the fag finish sealed the deal.

Maxi goes Tremendous Saiyan (November 07)

A bat and one leg are all of the 35-year-old wanted to single handedly take Australia throughout the road towards Afghanistan. The Aussies, chasing 291 for victory, discovered themselves in a precarious state of affairs when the staff was lowered to 91 for seven. However the ‘freakshow’ determined to take issues into his personal fingers. Driving on two dropped catches and a cramping left leg, Maxwell smashed a maiden double-century, a 128-ball 201 that some pundits contemplate the best ODI innings of all time.

ICC suspends Sri Lanka Cricket (November 10)

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board was discovered to be in breach of contract guidelines with the ICC, when the nation’s Sports activities Ministry dismissed the board and changed it with an interim committee following the nation’s poor efficiency at this yr’s World Cup. Sports activities Minister Roshan Ranasinghe referred to as SLC “traitorous and corrupt” in a press release to parliament on November 3, saying board members ought to resign, and an interim committee chaired by former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga was shaped.

King surpasses God (November 15)

Information are made to be damaged. All data however one. A minimum of that’s what the cricketing fraternity considered Sachin Tendulkar’s report of 49 ODI centuries for the longest time. However come 15 November, this report was damaged too. Virat Kohli’s comeback after his lean patch noticed him inch nearer and nearer to this historic landmark and the inevitable lastly occurred within the semifinal towards New Zealand.

Australia topped World Cup champion (November 19)

The ultimate between India and Australia was a story of two totally different tales. For India, a victory would have ended the decade-long watch for an ICC trophy, and it might have additionally been the right redemption for 2003 World Cup remaining defeat. For the Aussies, a World Cup victory would have rounded off an ideal yr wherein the staff additionally gained the World Take a look at Championship. It was the Males from Down Underneath who finally prevailed. Some tight bowling restricted the Indians to a beneath par complete of 240, which the Australians chased with ease, due to Travis Head’s century. The victory noticed Australia win the World Cup for a report sixth time.

Hardik Pandya traded to MI, Inexperienced goes to RCB (November 26)

In arguably the most important commerce within the historical past of the IPL, all-rounder Hardik Pandya switched again to his previous franchise in an all-cash deal of 17.5 crore. Pandya and Gujarat had an immensely profitable two seasons collectively, successful the title within the first and reaching the ultimate within the second season. To clear funds for the Pandya commerce, MI traded Cameron Inexperienced to RCB.

DECEMBER

Ladies’s IPL public sale (December 09)

Kashvee Gautam grew to become the costliest uncapped participant when she was offered to Gujarat Giants for Rs. 2 crore. A number of the different prime buys included Annabel Sutherland (Rs. 2 crore to DC) and Vrinda Dinesh (Rs. 1.3 crore to UP Warriorz).

Pandya named MI captain (December 15)

MI’s transition with an eye fixed on the long run began when it named Hardik Pandya as the brand new captain for the 2024 season. Based on experiences, the 30-year previous’s deal included an settlement that Pandya can be named captain.

Haryana wins maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy (December 16)

Haryana beat Rajasthan within the remaining to win its first ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title. After opting to bat first, Haryana put up an honest rating of 287 for the lack of eight wickets. Rajasthan was bowled out for 257, due to Sumit Kumar and Harshal Patel’s three wicket-hauls.

Lyon joins 500 membership (December 17)

Spinner Nathan Lyon grew to become solely the third Australian, behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, to take 500 Take a look at wickets, and the eighth man total.

IPL public sale 2024 (December 19)

IPL franchises went berserk on December 19, on a day when the report for the most costly ever purchase was damaged twice. SRH acquired the companies of Pat Cummins for Rs. 20.50 crore, whereas fellow Aussie Mitchell Starc went to KKR for a whopping Rs. 24.75 crore.

India Ladies beats Australia Ladies in Take a look at (December 21)

The undisputed Australian Take a look at cricket staff endured its first loss ever by the hands of the Indian staff. The India girls have been complete from begin to end, as they utilised house situations successfully to register an eight-wicket win.

Tom Curran banned from 4 BBL video games (December 21)

He was charged over an incident on 11 December earlier than a recreation towards Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston. Within the build-up to the match, the fourth umpire – who’s tasked with supervising the pitch – requested Curran to not run on the pitch. However the 28-year-old was seen training his bowling run-up, working in the direction of the umpire and the pitch, regardless of the warning given. The incident was deemed to be “intimidation or tried intimidation of an umpire or match referee” underneath the Cricket Australia code.

ICC rejects Khawaja’s bid to put on dove sticker on bat and footwear throughout Boxing Day Take a look at (December 26)

The Australian opener discovered himself in the course of a controversial debate when he was barred from sporting a dove sticker on his bat and footwear condemning the present state of affairs within the Israel-Palestine battle. The 37-year-old was earlier reprimanded for sporting a black armband after the worldwide physique’s guidelines prevented him from sporting footwear with messages of help for Gaza within the first Take a look at towards Pakistan. Khawaja had the messages “Freedom is a human proper” and “All lives are equal” on his boots within the colors of the Palestinian flag throughout coaching earlier than the opening Take a look at of the three-match collection final week, which the host gained by 360 runs in Perth. Many cricketers have got here out in help of Khawaja since.