In the action-packed year of ODI cricket that was 2023, several players captivated fans with their exceptional performances. There were some unforgettable moments that will live on in the memory of the cricket enthusiasts for a long time. The 2023 Cricket World Cup in India was a fascinating spectacle that has shaped the ODI cricket played in 2023. Due to the ever-changing nature of international cricket, 2023 was a year that saw many outstanding individual performances, which altered the course of ODI cricket. The top players of the modern game are more athletic, goal-oriented, and multifariously talented than ever before. Let’s look at the best performers in ODI cricket in 2023 who enjoyed a year of success and personal.

Destructive Batting Lineup

Our batting lineup starts with an exquisite pair of Indian batters in the form of Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill. Once you get past them, Virat Kohli will be waiting on the wings. Babar Azam is the no. 4 in this formidable batting lineup. 

Rohit Sharma: The Elegance Personified

Leading the charge at the top of the order is the formidable Rohit Sharma. The man from Maharashtra has been the top opener in ODI cricket for a long time. His pull shots send galleries throughout the world into raptures. With an outstanding haul of 1255 runs in 27 matches at an average of 52.29, Rohit consistently provided crucial starts, including a near-perfect one in the 2023 World Cup Final. Rohit sacrificed his personal interests for the sake of the team—a mark of a true leader who is willing to make adjustments for the greater good. After just missing out on a 2011 World Cup spot, Sharma had a personal mission to conquer the peak on home soil. He was an inspiring performer throughout the World Cup. However, he missed the chance to lift the ultimate prize by falling at the last hurdle. 

Shubman Gill: The Emerging Sensation

Partnering Rohit at the top is the immensely talented Shubman Gill. The Punjab prince’s remarkable run-scoring exploits saw him accumulate an astonishing 1584 runs in 29 matches at an average of 63.36. Gill’s fearless approach and ability to convert starts into substantial scores, including a monumental 208, showcased maturity beyond his years, solidifying his place in the team’s batting lineup. Gill is easy on the eye with those magnificent drives and exquisite cut shots. The sky is the limit for the future of Indian cricket. Gill needs to improve his batting statistics overseas if he wants to elevate himself to a legendary level. The Indian fans hope he will be the main man once Sharma and Kohli retire from the international scene.

Virat Kohli: The Consistent Maestro

Taking charge in the middle order is none other than the extraordinary Virat Kohli. With an awe-inspiring 1377 runs in 27 matches at a staggering average of 72.47, Kohli showcased his unrivaled consistency. Virat Kohli has finally put bad time behind him by scoring runs at will. He was the top scorer at the 2023 World Cup with an astonishing total of 765 runs in 11 innings. He managed to get 50+ scores in nine of those 11 World Cup matches. The played on dismissal in the World Cup final will forever haunt the Indian fans. Virat Kohli predictably won the man of the tournament award despite India losing to Australia in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Kohli also smashed the records for the most centuries in the ODI format previously held by the legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. 

Babar Azam: The Stylish Linchpin

Babar Azam has been the messiah for Pakistan cricket over the last few years. The champion batter from Lahore once again proved his mettle in the middle order. He amassed 1065 runs in 25 matches at an impressive average of 46.30, Babar anchored the innings with flair. His ability to convert starts into substantial scores, exemplified by a highest score of 151, along with two centuries and ten fifties, showcased his elegant strokeplay and crucial leadership. However, 2023 ended on a sour note for the top-order batsman. After Pakistan crashed out of the group stage of the 2023 World Cup, Babar decided to step down from the role of captain in all formats of the game. Pakistan came fifth in the points table and lost four times in a row by one point. 

Wicketkeeper

Despite not being chosen as a specialist keeper for the majority of his career, the multitalented KL Rahul has had a too big impact in the ODi circuit in 2023 for us to ignore. He will bat at number 5 and also perform the glove work for this team.

KL Rahul: The Dynamic Middle Order Force

Bringing a dynamic dimension to the Best ODI XI is KL Rahul. Rahul’s consistency and adaptability in the middle order are conspicuous enough to earn him a spot on this team. The elegant right-hander from Karnataka was finally able to express himself. He also kept wicket for Team India, a daring feat by itself. With 1060 runs in 27 matches and an outstanding average of 66.25, Rahul proved his ability to play crucial innings with grace. Whether anchoring the innings or accelerating the run rate, Rahul’s contributions were vital to India’s success throughout the year. India’s first game at the World Cup was a testament to the man’s capability. India were reduced to 2 for 3 when KL Rahul came out to bat. He formed a 164 run partnership with Virat Kohli and took the game away from the Australians. Rahul ended the game with an unbeaten innings of 97 from 115 balls. Rahul will be the wicketkeeper of this side. 

The Versatile All-Rounders

We consider our batting lineup to be strong enough for any bowling lineup in the world. So, we are not picking any specialist all-rounders for this team. Daryl Mitchell was exceptional with the bat in 2023; he can bowl medium pace as well. Patrick Cummins is not the most technically sound batsman in the world. But he has proven on numerous occasions that he can stand strong at the crease when his team needs it most.

Daryl Mitchell: The Maverick All-Rounder

Daryl Mitchell emerged as a force to be reckoned with as a dynamic all-rounder. His aggressive batting style earned him 1204 runs in 26 matches at an impressive average of 52.34, featuring five centuries and three fifties. His innings of 134 from 119 deliveries were one of the most memorable for the Kiwis at the World Cup. Due to the extended absence of the ever-brilliant Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell was the main batter for the New Zealanders throughout 2023. Mitchell also showed his versatility when it came to bowling and delivered crucial breakthroughs for his captain. The 33 year old claimed nine scalps while playing ODI cricket in 2023. 

Pat Cummins: The Leader Supreme

Leading the Best ODI XI is Pat Cummins, who showcased his versatility as an all-rounder. Patrick Cummins has played some important innings over the last 12 months. His innings of 12 runs against Afghanistan were the key reason behind Glenn Maxwell’s heroic double hundred. Equally noteworthy were his bowling performances; he claimed 17 wickets at crucial stages of the game. Cummins’ leadership skills further shone as he led Australia to victory in the ODI World Cup 2023. The Australian captain had a year of his dreams by spearheading the Australian attack towards Ashes retention and the WTC title. Cummins scored a memorable innings to send Australia to the final match. After getting the captaincy within a short span of time, Cummins has brought Australia back to its glory days. Here is the deserved captain of this side. 

The Dazzling Bowling Attack

We are picking three pace bowlers along with a couple of wrist spinners for our team. Mohammed Siraj will open the bowling attack with Shaheen Afridi. The pace and swing would test the mettle of even the most seasoned batters. The best bowler of 2023 – Mohammed Shami would come later in the attack as a third seamer. The wrist spinning duo with different prominent hands – Adam Zampa and Kuldeep Yadav are ready to pose threats before the batsmen on any surface.

Kuldeep Yadav: The Master of Wrist Spin

Kuldeep Yadav altered his bowling approach completely in 2023. With 49 wickets in 30 matches, Yadav seemed to be unplayable at times. He deceived the batsmen regularly with his variations, including a deadly googly delivery. His frugal economy rate of 4.61 and memorable 5-wicket haul attest to his prowess, establishing him as one of the premier spinners of the year. The chinaman bowler is bowling at a much quicker pace than ever before. So, it has become much harder for the batsmen to pick up his good length deliveries. Yadav looks destined to lead the Indian spin in the upcoming years. 

Mohammed Shami: The Pace Ace

Mohammed Shami unleashed a lethal spell of fast bowling, amassing 43 wickets in 19 matches. Shami ripped through the opponent’s lineups with his magnificent spells. He claimed a quartet of five wicket hauls in 2023. Despite not playing in the first four matches, Shami ended up topping the chart for most wickets at the 2023 World Cup with 23 scalps. His incredible 7/57 against New Zealand in the semi-final is the best bowling figure in a knockout match at the World Cup. Shami’s pace, swing, and precision made him a nightmarish figure for the opposing batters. Shami also recorded the fewest matches to register 50 wickets at the World Cup. 

Mohammed Siraj: The Exciting Sensation

Mohammed Siraj emerged as an exciting sensation with 44 wickets in 25 matches. His ability to generate pace, extract movement, and take crucial wickets at crucial moments solidified his status as a game-changer at the international level. Siraj was a revelation with the white ball in hand after excelling previously with the red ball. He has been guilty of bowling wayward deliveries in the past; however, he fixed his line and length in 2023. He dismantled the Sri Lankan batting with a performance for the ages at the 2023 Asia Cup Final. He claimed six wickets for just 21 runs to reduce the hosts to a meagre total of 50 runs. Siraj has been a fantastic addition to the Indian bowling lineup, which cried for a bowler who would partner Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball.  

Adam Zampa: The Leg-Spin Wizard

Adam Zampa’s leg-spin magic earned him a well-deserved spot in the Best XI. With 38 wickets in 20 matches, Adam Zampa showed his true class against world-class batters throughout the year. Zampa was the second-highest wicket-taker at the World Cup with 23 wickets. After losing the first two games, Australia was on the verge of elimination. Adam Zampa took four wicket hauls in three consecutive games to get the Australian World Cup dreams back on track. He was the only consistent performer in the Australian bowling lineup who kept picking up wickets on different surfaces. Zampa’s economical bowling and knack for vital breakthroughs made him an integral part of the Aussie white ball set-up that conquered the world. 

Shaheen Afridi: The Left-Arm Firecracker

Shaheen Afridi dominated the ODI circuit with his left-arm pace, claiming 42 wickets in 21 matches. Afridi’s innate ability to swing the ball early in the innings and generate extract bounce off the surface made him a constant menace for the opposition batters. The towering pace bowler delivered crucial breakthroughs during the powerplay making him a favourite among Pakistan supporters. Although he is currently bowling at a lower pace, the movement off the seam is hard to read as a opening batter. The left-arm pacer completes our line-up for the best XI in ODI cricket for the year 2023. 

Stat Attack

Here is a detailed overview of our best players in the year 2023:

Name	Runs	Batting Avg.	50s/100s	Wickets	Bowling Avg.	4 WKs/5 WKs
Rohit Sharma	1255	52.20	2/9
Shubman Gill	1584	63.36	9/5
Virat Kohli	1377	72.47	8/6
Babar Azam	1065	46.30	10/2
KL Rahul	1060	66.25	7/2
Daryl Mitchell	1204	52.34	3/5	9	22.66	0/0
Pat Cummins	168	42.00	0/0	17	36.35	0/0
Mohammed Shami				43	16.46	1/4
Shaheen Afridi				42	24.04	1/1
Kuldeep Yadav				49	20.48	2/1
Adam Zampa	20			38	26.31	5/0
Mohammed Siraj				44	20.68	2/1

Conclusion

Cricket has been facing new challenges every day. With the advent of innovative technology and franchise T-20 leagues, cricket is faster than ever before, with ODI cricket being marginalized. However, the 2023 World Cup proved that the 50 over game has its own place among the other formats. The top players can entertain us with their individual, awe inspiring performances with bat and bat. The best players stand tall against all odds and lead their team towards the desired destination. The battle between slog and new ball, the patience during the middle overs and dazzling show during the death overs make ODI cricket special. Hopefully, we will be treated to more once in a life experiences in the next year.