The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the Test Team of the Year for 2023, sparking surprise as notable Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli found no place, alongside the omission of leading Test batsman Steve Smith. The selection decision raised eyebrows, with only two Indian players securing spots in the prestigious lineup. Here’s the Test Team of the Year 2023 announced by ICC:
Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Travis Head, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Stuart Broad
Many fans expressed anger due to the exclusion of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the ICC Test team, given India’s achievement of reaching the final of the ICC Test 2023 and leveling the series against South Africa in 2023, which is a challenging task. However, we believe that the ICC has made the correct decision. The team they have selected is the best for 2023.
Here’s the exact reason behind Virat Kohli exclusion in ICC Test Team Of The Year 2023:
Virat Kohli has stood out as India’s premier Test batsman and leader over the past decade. His test statistics underscore his class as an international player, and beyond his on-field prowess, his impact on emerging talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal adds to his esteemed reputation in Test cricket. Although Kohli’s test performance in 2023 remained commendable, he fell short of delivering a match-winning innings in the crucial WTC Final 2023 when India needed him the most. Here are his Test statistics for the year 2023.
Virat Kohli Test Stats 2023
| Matches | 8 |
| Innings | 12 |
| Runs | 671 |
| Average | 55.92 |
| Strike Rate | 54.93 |
| Highest Score | 186 |
| 50s | 2 |
| 100s | 2 |
In the Test cricket arena of 2023, Virat Kohli exhibited his enduring prowess with an impressive statistical record. Across 8 matches and 12 innings, the Indian captain accumulated a total of 671 runs at a remarkable average of 55.92, showcasing his consistency and ability to convert starts into substantial contributions. Kohli’s highest score of 186 underlines his capacity for commanding innings, providing a testament to his resilience and skill as a premier batsman.
While Kohli achieved a solid average, what truly stands out is his strike rate of 54.93, emphasizing the brisk pace at which he accumulated runs. In the context of his two centuries and two half-centuries during the year, Kohli’s performance further highlights his capacity to not only anchor the innings but also play impactful innings when the situation demands. Despite these accomplishments, the absence of a match-winning innings in the crucial WTC Final 2023 might be a notable point of reflection for Kohli and his fans, underscoring the challenges of leadership and expectations in the world of international cricket.