Swashbuckling Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav was on Wednesday named the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2022 for his excellent run in the shortest format of the game.
Swashbuckling Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav was on Wednesday named the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year for his excellent run in the shortest format of the game. Surya had a stellar 2022, breaking an array of records and setting a benchmark in the format.
Presenting the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2022 👀
— ICC (@ICC)Surya beat the likes of Sam Curran, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Zimbabwe's batting all-rounder Sikandar Raza for the top honour.
However, India's vice-captain and last year's Cricketer of the Year, Smriti Mandhana, lost out to Australia's Tahlia McGrath in the women's category.
Popularly known as 'SKY', the 32-year-old became just the second batter to make more than 1000 runs in a calendar year in T20Is and ended the year as the highest run-getter, scoring 1164 runs at a strike-rate of 187.43. Surya hit a stunning 68 sixes during the year, easily the most recorded by anyone in a year in the format's history.
The Indian was the key batter for his team throughout the year, smashing two hundred and nine half-centuries. Surya was at his stupendous best during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, recording three fifties in six innings and averaging nearly 60. Notably, his strike-rate was yet again right up there at 189.68.
As becomes the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣, relive the best of SKY and hear his special message after receiving the award 👏🏻👏🏻
Watch 📽️https://t.co/IGRTAM8PZ6 https://t.co/6NkbPHh16F
Having already recorded a ton earlier in the year, Suryakumar continued his brilliant year after the multi-nation tournament, making his second hundred in T20Is in the bilateral series in New Zealand. Surya also became the top-ranked T20 player, achieving a career-high 890 rating points.
Fans of Suryakumar Yadav applauded the batter's feat, with most hoping that 'SKY' will be the limit for the star Indian cricketer. "SKY is well and truly arrived," said one fan, while another added, "Sky is limitless."
Indian teammate Shreyas Iyer too took to Twitter to congratulate Suryakumar Yadav. "Congratulations my brother
Here's a look at how fans reacted to Suryakumar Yadav being voted ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year (2022):
Congratulations my brother 👊 Best in the business! https://t.co/TIEQz3nYMV
— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15)🚀⭐👑🧿
Sky is limitless ❤️ https://t.co/cKymucPeGD
SKY is well and truly arrived 👊💥 👏 https://t.co/xtZyPExobA pic.twitter.com/ZobcqslRMR
— eXpLoReR (@_texplorer)Well deserved … congratulations to keep entertaining https://t.co/L6opTzZ1hR
— rᥲȷі𝗍🇮🇳 (@imrajitd)Congratulations surya 🙌🙌🙌🙌♥️♥️ https://t.co/n8Rq7fdCyU
— Nripendra Singh برپینڈرا سنگھ (@Nripend45434825)Happy for this. Congratulations for achieving this feat. Keep the runs coming. Want to see more of 360 degree shots https://t.co/P0S3bbEgxK
— feryy (@ffspari)Absolute truly deserved https://t.co/6vmmIZ8Iy7
— Sudatta (@iSudatta)Suryakumar Yadav becomes the first Indian men to win T20I cricketer of year award.
1164 runs from 31 matches at an average of 46.56 & strike rate of 187.43 pic.twitter.com/srPet64LTT
Deserving winner! SKY in T20I is at different level. https://t.co/KuYKvKnMEt
— M (@AngryPakistan)deserved, no other batter like him in T20. https://t.co/hXhrEuRovB
— AZ (@azkhawaja1)Modern t20 legend 🙌 👏 ❤️ Carrying the legacy of king 🤴 🙌 👏 ♥️ 👌 ❤️
— Aniket_2122 (@2122Aniket)Congratulations to 👏. One of the finest cricketers of the modern era. https://t.co/sL8qyyvJKQ
— Nipun Marya (@nipunmarya)Congratulations Mr 360' for milestone https://t.co/tks9NaQfei
— Total Woke (@janvisinghh)(With inputs from PTI)