Team India’s top-order batter Suryakumar Yadav has won the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022 award, the apex cricket board announced on Wednesday, January 25.
Suryakumar had a stellar 2022, breaking a string of records and setting a benchmark in the shortest format. He left behind the likes of Sam Curran, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza to sweep the top honour.
Popularly known as SKY, the 32-year-old became only the second player in T20I history to make more than 1,000 runs in a calendar year, scoring 1164 runs at a strike rate of 187.43. He also hit two tons and nine half-centuries during the year.
He even smashed 68 sixes, easily the most recorded by anyone in a year in the format’s history.
After being voted the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022, Suryakumar took to Twitter and thanked his fans for showering their love and blessings towards him.
“Thankful. Gratedful. Blessed,” he captioned the video.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙛𝙪𝙡. 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡. 𝘽𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/eV4n2r5pyG
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) January 25, 2023
On the other hand, Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath won the Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022 award.
With several notable performances in the format during the year 2022, she amassed 435 runs in 16 games and picked 13 wickets as well. Her highest score of 91 not out came off just 46 deliveries against England; she returned to bag three wickets for 26 runs.
McGrath beat the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Pakistan’s bowling all-rounder Nida Dar and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine to top the Women’s category.
Expressed her delight, the Aussie told ICC.tv: “It’s an incredible honour to be named the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, especially with so many incredible players across the world taking to the game to the next level.
Mc Grath added: “It’s been a great year for the team in the T20 format, winning the first ever women’s cricket gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and beating India at home; this is a really nice way to cap it off.”
