5 International players for whom 2023 will be a crucial year

Well, the year 2023 for cricket is going to be a crucial as well as an extraordinary year. Especially for the ODI format, it’s going to be a vital calendar to restore its fading relevance. On the other hand, the shortest format will further add extravaganza to our game by launching three new T20 leagues.

However, even for some individuals, 2023 certainly will be a make-or-break year for their establishments. Either with regards to their fitness or form, this ongoing time period is going to fate their future playing days.

Therefore in this list, let’s check out the 5 international players for whom 2023 will be a pivotal year to strive in.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul’s last three years in international cricket have been topsy-turvy. Rather than exhibiting his peak, the 30-year-old is again contesting for his place across formats. Initially, when 2020 ended, Rahul had emerged as India’s leading white-ball scorer. In 2021, the batter then re-established himself in Test cricket to become a frontline, multi-format player. But in 2022, the cricketer’s overall mediocrity again raised question marks on his India selection.

Comprehensively last year, Rahul struggled to fetch a breakthrough in any of the three formats. In Test cricket, the stand-in skipper played four games averaging just 17.12. In ODIs, Rahul showcased a decent average of 27.88 scoring 257 runs from 9 innings. However, in T20Is, the former deputy of Rohit Sharma just performed ordinarily.

In the last World T20 year, Rahul scored just 434 runs from his 16 T20I appearances. Agonizingly his strike rate (126.53) in those games was the second lowest since his debut year. Cumulatively, Rahul ended his 2022 by not only raising scrutiny for his batting form but also losing his white-ball vice-captaincy.

That’s why 2023 for this champion player will be a very valuable year. Thankfully, at least in the two long formats, Rahul still has his playing spot intact. The batter also in the dressing room enjoys the confidence of the coaches and captain. But to sustain himself, the cricketer’s bat now needs to do the talking.

Overall, at least in ODIs, Rahul will receive a longer rope along with sustaining himself as the vice-captain in Test cricket. Also, his lost place in T20Is can be regained again if KL provides another blockbuster IPL season. All in all, in 2023 Rahul has to amass a truckload of runs across formats to continue donning the Indian jersey. Otherwise, his bleak form might bring his omission from international cricket.

Jofra Archer

It’s been almost two years since this speedster played his last international game. After India’s tour in March 2021, Archer battled a prolonged elbow injury following then a lower back stress fracture. The pacer initially had recuperated from his injured elbow in early 2022. But while getting fit for the England 2022 home summer, Archer then got diagnosed with a stress fracture.

Thankfully the cricketer is now gearing up to make his comeback again for England. Since November 2022 onwards, Archer has taken small steps toward his comeback by only playing some junior-level games. His rigorous rehabilitation also has allowed him to participate for MI Cape Town in SA T20 League. Soon by January end Archer is expected to play ODIs for England in SA.

While commenting on his long hiatus from cricket, the 27-year-old now expects himself to be injury free for almost 3-4 years. Even when it comes to Archer’s express pace, the lad has been touching 90 miles. However, it will be interesting whether Archer plays all formats or will be just available for white-ball cricket.

Also not to forget that England has a jammed playing schedule throughout the year. That’s why this packed 2023 will not only challenge Archer’s fitness but also his skills. Over the course of this year, it will be vital to see how this pacer copes with packed international fixtures. In fact with the Ashes scheduled in England, there will be a temptation to rope Archer in.

Overall, even before the Ashes, it will be important to see how Archer’s body responds in IPL 2023. All in all, 2023 for Jofra Archer will not only be a comeback year but also exploring more about his fitness and skills.

Rohit Sharma

Certainly, our beloved Indian skipper needs to have a very prospering 2023. Last year almost across all formats, Rohit had decent numbers to exhibit. Especially in T20Is in 2022, Hitman played 29 games scoring 656 runs with a reasonable average (24.29) and strike rate (134.42). In Test cricket, the full-time captain just appeared in the home SL series. Even in ODIs, Rohit appeared in 8 matches scoring runs at an average of 41.50.

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Comprehensively in 2022, it was the shortest format where Rohit had almost hit rock bottom. Particularly in the last IPL, Rohit had an awful time scoring just 268 runs from his 14 appearances. So with the next T20 World Cup scheduled in 2024, this 35-year-old veteran will face hindrances to prolonging his T20I career. Though as of now Rohit is immune to skipping T20Is for his workload management, objectively it’s difficult for him to continue featuring.

That’s why the upcoming IPL 2023 needs to be a blockbuster season for Rohit to again make his T20I case. Also barring T20s, the skipper needs to catch up in the longest format. In 2022 because of Rohit’s awry fitness, the cricketer skipped a sizable amount of Test matches. Presently his biggest challenge now will be the four-Test series against Australia.

Even in ODIs, Hitman needs to get his full mojo back to win the 50-over World Cup. Certainly, for such a pursuit, Rohit has to profusely score runs and win games. Overall, his ODI form in 2023 will also then decide Hitman’s future in white-ball cricket. Therefore the year 2023 will be a vital calendar for Rohit Sharma to protract his international career.

Jason Roy

Well, 2023 for Jason Roy needs to be a trouncing year. Sadly in 2022, Roy not only lost his white-ball place but also his central contract. His performances in England’s 2022 home summer were dreadful. Against IND & SA at home in T20Is, the cricketer just averaged 12.66. Even in ODIs last year, Roy just scored 335 runs from 11 outings averaging just 33.50. Most importantly, the 32-year-old was dropped for the World T20 in Australia.

Hence 2023 for Jason Roy has to be about all his resurgence. Fortunately in ODIs, the batter still holds his place despite giving ordinary returns. However, Roy’s comeback now can immediately start in South Africa where he’s picked for ODIs. Comprehensively with England scheduled to play a ton of 50-over cricket, the format is befitting for Roy to thrive.

Overall, this Englishman can redeem everything in 2023 that he recently has lost. Hopefully, the cricketer also allows England to defend their 50-over crown in the 2023 World Cup.

Cameron Green

Irrefutably, 2022 for this all-rounder was a very satisfying year. In the last 12 months, Green can now be called a multi-format cricketer. In T20Is, Green became the biggest talk of the town, especially during his India visit. Even in ODIs, the all-rounder made adequate appearances for the Aussies. However, Green would now be hoping that 2022 is just a stepping stone rather than a single glory year.

In 2023, the youngster is currently brimmed with all forms of cricket. Before representing MI in IPL 2023, Green has to feature in Australia’s challenging away tour of India. Then after his toiling exertion in both the Test series and IPL 2023, Green needs to be available for The Ashes.

Barring the longer and the shortest formats, the 23-year-old also needs to manage himself for ODIs. The tall lad as of now has a very good chance of playing his debut World Cup in 2023. That’s why at least fitness-wise, 2023 will be a gruelling time for Green.

Overall, if Green manages his game time well in 2023 then he’ll become a frontline, all-format player. Hopefully, with a plethora of opportunities coming in, Green can also become the most budding all-rounder of 2023.