2023 was an amazing year of Cricket. The year enveloped the ODI World Cup, the World Test Championship Final, the Ashes Series, The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Asia Cup, and the hugely popular Indian Premier League. The year saw some breathtaking action and some unbelievable performances, where the cricketers stretched themselves beyond the realm of reality.
There were several good innings played out throughout the year, however, after a careful examination and a lot of thought, I have picked my favourite three innings of the year, based on the importance of the match, the level of difficulty, the quality of batsmanship, the ‘wow factor’ and of course the impact on the outcome.
Innings No. 3 : Rinku Singh
It was the 13th match of the IPL 2023 played between KKR and GT at Ahmedabad. A really humgdinger of a contest it was. The match was going KKR’s way, but then the wily Rashid Khan took a terrific hat-trick to change the course of the match and with 29 runs required of the last over, it was almost curtains for KKR. But Rinku Singh probably was the only person who still believed that he could pull it off and so he did. Rinku smashed 5 sixes in the Yash Dayal over and took KKR to an improbable victory. Simply incredible.
I was as awestruck as millions of cricket fans in India and abroad. The striking from Rinku was clean, particularly his pick-up shots over extra cover and long off. His thinking unmuffled, Rinku sent the ball over the ropes with remarkable timing and precision. With his steely determination, Rinku was both stable at the crease and in his mind, as he fired KKR to victory. The innings had to be rated as one of the best T20 innings of all time. Rinku since that knock has not looked back and has played several good hands both in the IPL and for India. He is a great find and a brilliant prospect.
Innings No. 2 : Travis Head
It was the all-important ODI World Cup Final on the 19th of November 2023, at Ahmedabad. Chasing 241 for victory, Australia lost 3 quick wickets and the Indians were much in the game. With a gigantic 130 thousand fans in the stadium, the Aussies were looking nervous, but Travis Head showed tremendous resilience and composure under extreme pressure from all sides and began rebuilding the innings with Marnus Labuschagne.
It was a test of temperament more than skill and Travis Head in particular proved his mettle with distinction. A fractured hand had kept him out of most of the World Cup, but the Aussies waited for him and ensured he returned. The faith vested in Travis Head yielded rich dividends. After absorbing the initial pressure, Travis Head opened up. It was true courage as he attacked the Indian bowlers with some hard hits and sublime batting. The bowlers were put under pressure and their response weakened as the innings progressed. The situation was telling, the occasion monumental and the prize exquisite. Travis Head just made the prevailing circumstances his own and struck a belligerent ton to ensure victory for Australia and the World Cup. An extraordinary effort. Simply incredible.
Innings No. 1 : Glen Maxwell
The best innings of the year 2023 belonged to a maverick Australian. At 91/7 chasing 292 for victory, no one had given an iota of chance to Australia, against a spirited Afghan attack on the 7th of November at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But then it seemed as if destiny had held Glen Maxwell’s hands as the ‘ big show ‘ produced the greatest ODI innings ever to take Australia home. It was an impossible victory realised by a sheer miracle from the bat of Maxwell.
21 Fours and 10 Sixes, 201 runs undefeated, Maxwell fought like a gladiator in a burning cauldron. He subdued the Afghan bowling with extravagant hitting, underlining his class, his exceptional hand-eye coordination, ice-cool temperament and monumental self-belief. Writhing in pain and severely cramping, Maxwell could hardly run, enduring every bit of torment his body went through, but never gave up. Pat Cummins gave him good company and they both ensured that Australia crossed the line unscathed. It was an innings just too good to be true, beyond the realm of reality. Simply incredible.
With 2 of the best 3 knocks of 2023, no wonder, the Aussies are World Champions.
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