Cricket Round up: Gill, Deepti win BCCI awards; Brisbane Heat Seals Big Bash; Shammar Joseph wins Windies Gaba test

Let us take a look at the major development that took place in the world of International cricket in the alst week. Although, a lot of has happened in the past week across the world, here is our top pick for things that took place in cricket.

BCCI Awards 2024: Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma Shine as Best International Cricketers

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Awards 2024 ceremony, a spectacle celebrating cricket brilliance, took place in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The event, a revival after a hiatus since 2019, witnessed cricketing luminaries gathering to acknowledge outstanding performances across various categories.

Overview of BCCI Awards

Established in 2006-07, the BCCI Awards annually recognizes standout performers in Indian cricket, including the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer. Lifetime Achievement awards are also bestowed upon deserving individuals. This year’s ceremony honoured achievements from the past four years.

Headline Winners: Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma

The coveted Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men) saw a distinguished list of winners. Mohammed Shami (2019-20), Ravichandran Ashwin (2020-21), Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22), and Shubman Gill (2022-23) were recipients of this prestigious accolade. Young opener Shubman Gill’s stellar performances earned him recognition as the Best International Cricketer of the Year for 2022-23.

In the women’s category, Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana shared the Best International Cricketer of the Year awards. Deepti claimed honours for 2019-20 and 2022-23, while Smriti was acknowledged for her contributions in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The Best International Debut (Men) award for the latest edition (2022-23) went to Yashaswi Jaiswal, the talented young batsman. This award, previously won by players like Mayank Agarwal, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer, underscores the emergence of promising talent in Indian cricket.

Former cricketers and coaches, Ravi Shastri and Farokh Engineer, were honoured with the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. This acknowledgment celebrates their significant contributions to Indian cricket, marking a moment of reflection on their illustrious careers.

Complete Winners List – BCCI Awards 2024

• Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award – Men: Farokh Engineer, Ravi Shastri
• Polly Umrigar Award – Best International Cricketer – Men: Mohammed Shami (2019-20), Ravichandran Ashwin (2020-21), Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22), Shubman Gill (2022-23)
• Best International Cricketer – Women: Deepti Sharma (2019-20, 2022-23), Smriti Mandhana (2020-21, 2021-22)
• Best International Debut – Men: Mayank Agarwal (2019-20), Axar Patel (2020-21), Shreyas Iyer (2021-22), Yashaswi Jaiswal (2022-23)
• Best International Debut – Women: Priya Punia (2019-20), Shafali Verma (2020-21), Sabbhineni Meghana (2021-22), Amanjot Kaur (2022-23)
• Dilip Sardesai Award – Most Runs in Test Cricket: Yashasvi Jaiswal (2022-23)
• Dilip Sardesai Award – Highest Wickets in Test Cricket: Ravichandran Ashwin (2022-23)
• Highest Run-Getter in ODIs – Women: Punam Raut (2019-20), Mithali Raj (2020-21), Harmanpreet Kaur (2021-22), Jemimah Rodrigues (2022-23)
• Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs – Women: Poonam Yadav (2019-20), Jhulan Goswami (2020-21), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2021-22), Devika Vaidya (2022-23)
• Best Umpire In Domestic Cricket: A Padmanabhan (2019-20), Vrinda Rathi (2020-21), Jayaraman Madangopal (2021-22), Rohan Pandit (2022-23)
• Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments: Mumbai (2019-20), Madhya Pradesh (2021-22), Saurashtra (2022-23)
• Lala Amarnath Award – Best All-Rounder in Ranji Trophy: MB Murasingh (2019-20), Shams Mulani (2021-22), Saransh Jain (2022-23)
• Lala Amarnath Award – Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited Overs: Baba Aparajith (2019-20), RR Dhawan (2020-21, 2021-22), Riyan Parag (2022-23)
• Madhavrao Scindia Award – Highest Run-Getter in Ranji Trophy: Rahul Dalal (2019-20), Sarfaraz Khan (2021-22), Mayank Agarwal (2022-23)
• Madhavrao Scindia Award – Highest Wicket-Taker in Ranji Trophy: Jaydev Unadkat (2019-20), Shams Mulani (2021-22), Jalaj Saxena (2022-23)
• M.A. Chidambaram Trophy – Highest Run-Getter in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: P Kanpillewar (2019-20), Mayank Shandilya (2021-22), Danish Malewar (2022-23)
• M.A. Chidambaram Trophy – Highest Wicket-Taker in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: Harsh Dubey (2019-20), AR Nishad (2021-22), Manav Chothani (2022-23)
• Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy – Best Woman Cricketer Senior Domestic: Saee Purandare (2019-20), Indrani Roy (2020-21), Kanika Ahuja (2021-22), Nabam Yapu (2022-23)
• Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy – Best Woman Cricketer Junior Domestic: Kashvee Gautam (2019-20), Soumya Tiwari (2021-22), Vaishnavi Sharma (2022-23)

The BCCI Awards 2024 celebrated the brilliance, dedication, and promise within Indian cricket. From seasoned veterans to emerging talents, the event recognized and honored those who have made significant contributions to the sport. The list of winners serves as a testament to the diversity and depth of talent in Indian cricket across various formats and age groups.

India Includes Rajat Patidar in Squad for First Two England Tests; Virat Kohli Unavailable

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In a significant development, Rajat Patidar has earned a spot in the Indian squad for the first two Tests against England. The 30-year-old batsman from Madhya Pradesh gets the call after Virat Kohli made himself unavailable for the initial matches due to personal reasons.

Patidar’s Impressive Form

Rajat Patidar’s inclusion in the squad is a testament to his exceptional recent form. The batter showcased his prowess with a stellar performance, scoring 151 against England Lions in Ahmedabad last week. Notably, he also contributed with a century (111) in the warm-up fixture against the Lions. Patidar’s consistent performances earned him a spot on the tour to South Africa with the A side late last year.

Having made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in Paarl last December, where he opened the innings, Patidar is expected to play a crucial middle-order role in the upcoming Tests against England.

Omission of Pujara and Rahane

Patidar’s inclusion suggests that the Indian team management is not considering Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for the initial Tests. This decision prolongs the wait for Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, who will have to bide his time for a chance in the playing XI.

Earlier, Rinku Singh’s addition to the India A squad for the second multi-day match against England Lions paved the way for Rajat Patidar’s elevation to the senior men’s side. The team management appears to be making strategic adjustments to optimise the batting lineup.

Brisbane Heat Seals Big Bash Title After 11-Year Drought with Convincing Win Over Sydney Sixers

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Brisbane Heat secured a triumphant 54-run victory over Sydney Sixers, claiming the Big Bash title for the first time in 11 years. The action-packed final at the SCG witnessed Brisbane Heat’s dominant performance, led by notable contributions from Josh Brown and Matthew Renshaw.

Brisbane Heat’s Commanding Performance

Brisbane Heat set the stage for victory with a competitive total, propelled by Josh Brown’s impressive half-century and Matthew Renshaw’s quick 40 off 22 balls. Brown’s aggressive approach, including three sixes off Hayden Kerr, laid the foundation for a formidable innings.

The hero of Brisbane’s bowling attack, Spencer Johnson, delivered a career-best performance with outstanding figures of 4-26. His exceptional spell included crucial dismissals, notably sending Josh Philippe back to the pavilion for 22 and executing a brilliant caught and bowled to dismiss Hayden Kerr for seven. Johnson’s figures are now the best ever in a Big Bash League (BBL) final.

The elated 28-year-old Johnson expressed his joy, stating, “Unbelievable – I feel like we were the best team all year, so we deserve the medal. I owe Heat everything, they brought me here last year, and I didn’t know where my career was going, so this is pretty cool.”

Brisbane Heat’s Journey to Redemption

Having topped the standings in the regular season, Brisbane Heat sought redemption after their loss in the previous year’s final against Perth Scorchers. This season, they faced a challenging path, losing the qualifier to Sydney Sixers but securing a spot in the final after defeating Adelaide Strikers.

Three-time winners Sydney Sixers won the toss and chose to field, banking on their success in chasing targets. However, they faced early setbacks and were reduced to 57-4 within the first 10 overs. Captain Moises Henriques, despite testing positive for Covid-19, emerged as the top-scorer for Sixers with 25 off 27 balls.

This victory marks Brisbane Heat’s second BBL title, with their previous triumph dating back to the 2012-13 season. The team, under the leadership of Captain Nathan McSweeney, showcased resilience and determination to secure the coveted title after last year’s disappointment.

ICC Announces 2027 World Test Championship Final in England

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final will take place in England in June. This decision marks the fourth consecutive time that England will host the prestigious WTC final, following successful events in 2021 at Southampton, 2023 at The Oval, and the upcoming 2025 final at Lord’s.

Continued English Hostship Sparks Debate

Following India’s recent defeat in the WTC final against Australia, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed concerns about the continuous scheduling of the final in England during June. Sharma suggested exploring alternative timings and global locations for future WTC finals, advocating for flexibility beyond the traditional June slot.

The ICC’s decision to maintain England as the host for the 2027 WTC final in June is seen as a response to the challenges of finding a suitable window for the summit clash. With T20 leagues taking place worldwide throughout the year, scheduling complications arise, and June remains a viable option for the cricketing calendar.

In a separate development, the ICC has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Social Responsibility Provider for the period 2024-2027. This initiative aligns with the ICC’s commitment to social responsibility, and proposals are invited to support various projects and programs during the specified timeframe.

ICC Introduces Women’s T20 Champions Trophy

In a positive move for women’s cricket enthusiasts, the ICC has introduced the Women’s T20 Champions Trophy. The inaugural edition of this prestigious tournament is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in February 2027. This addition to the women’s cricket calendar is a significant step in promoting and enhancing the visibility of women’s T20 cricket globally.

The men’s Champions Trophy, adhering to the ODI format, is set to be hosted in Pakistan in February 2025. Additionally, Malaysia, an associate nation, will organise the second edition of the women’s Under-19 World Cup in January 2025. India is poised to host the Women’s World Cup in October/November 2025 and share the hosting responsibilities for the men’s T20 World Cup in October/November 2026, alongside Sri Lanka.

Shamar Joseph’s 7-Wicket Haul Inspires West Indies’ Emotional and Historic Win at ‘The Gabba’

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In a jaw-dropping turn of events at ‘The Gabba,’ West Indies scripted a historic comeback after 27 years, defeating Australia in a nail-biting encounter. Rising pace star Shamar Joseph delivered an extraordinary performance, securing a sensational 7-wicket haul and becoming the catalyst for the visitors’ triumph. The hosts, initially on course for a series whitewash, fell short in a humdinger that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Shamar Joseph’s Heroic Feat

Despite sustaining a toe-crushing injury on Day 3, Shamar Joseph showcased resilience and determination, orchestrating a remarkable bowling spell of 7/68 in only his second Test. His extraordinary performance played a pivotal role in breaching ‘The Gabba’ fortress and securing a historic win for West Indies. Clocking speeds around 150 km/h, Joseph’s pace and accuracy were instrumental in dismantling the Australian batting lineup.

The magnitude of West Indies’ achievement stirred raw emotions in the commentary box, particularly among former West Indies captains Carl Hooper and Brian Lara. A viral video captured Hooper shedding tears of joy, unable to contain his emotions. Lara, in an emotional on-air speech, congratulated the West Indies team, highlighting the 27-year gap it took for a Caribbean side to overcome Australia on their home turf.

Brian Lara, visibly ecstatic, paid tribute to the young and inexperienced West Indies team. Acknowledging their triumph after 27 years, Lara commended the team’s resilience and determination. He emphasised that the win was monumental for West Indies cricket, considering the team’s perceived inexperience. Lara’s emotional words reflected the historic significance of the moment.

Steve Smith’s Valiant Effort Falls Short

In a dramatic turn of events, veteran Australian batter Steve Smith showcased a valiant effort, finishing unbeaten with 91 runs. However, his efforts weren’t enough to secure victory for Australia. Shamar Joseph’s relentless pace and precision led to a collapse in the Australian batting lineup. Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Alex Carey all fell victim to Joseph’s fiery spell, contributing to a thrilling finish.

Shamar Joseph’s exceptional bowling display included a memorable five-wicket haul in just two Tests. His fiery pace and strategic bowling played a crucial role in triggering the Australian batting collapse. Mitchell Starc, who provided resistance for a while, fell victim to Joseph’s brilliance. The young Guyanese’s remarkable comeback after sustaining an injury added to the historic narrative.

As the game resumed after the Dinner break, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood tried to resist West Indies’ charge. However, Joseph’s relentless pursuit of wickets led to Lyon’s dismissal, setting the stage for the historic win. With Steve Smith unable to keep the strike, Hazlewood succumbed to the fiery pace, sealing a remarkable comeback for West Indies and leveling the series 1-1.