Star India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in contention to win the ICC Player of the Month Award for October 2023 as he has been nominated for the prize by cricket’s world governing body.
Along with Bumrah, South African opener Quinton de Kock and young New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra have also been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award after the brilliant performances for their teams at the ongoing World Cup.
The India pace spearhead Bumrah didn’t miss a beat upon returning from injury as he picked up a total of 14 wickets for his side during the month of October.
The 29-year-old pacer has been at his brilliant best as India remain unbeaten at the World Cup 2023, with the right-armer giving up a miserly 3.91 runs per over to have one of the best economy rates at the tournament.
Bumrah started his campaign with an impressive two for 35 against Australia at Chennai, before blitzing Afghanistan with four wickets for 39 runs in Delhi.
This continued in spectacular fashion, with the seamer taking two for 19 in a Player of the Match display against rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad which included the prized wicket of Mohammad Rizwan with a brilliant slower ball. Bumrah’s 3-32 with the ball against England at the end of October was just as impressive.
On the other hand, the attacking left-hander De Kock has been a standout at the ongoing Cricket World Cup, having smashed three centuries alone amassing a total of 431 runs during October alone.
De Kock got the ball rolling by striking consecutive centuries against Sri Lanka and Australia during South Africa’s first two World Cup matches, and then added a brilliant 174 against Bangladesh in Mumbai.
To top things off, the South African also took 10 catches and completed one stumping during October in a tidy month’s work behind the stumps as the Proteas’ wicket-keeper.
Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra has been a breath of fresh air at his first World Cup, having scored a total of 406 runs at an average of 81.20 through the Kiwis’ first six games at the tournament during October.
The New Zealand youngster turned heads with an unbeaten 123 against England in the tournament opener and then added another century later in the month when registering an equally impressive knock of 116 against Australia.
The 23-year-old further added to his all-round ability by also picking up three wickets over the course of the month with his slow left-armers, capping off a sensational October.