India batter Suryakumar Yadav, who won the ESPNCricinfo Awards 2023 in the Men’s T20I Batting Performance of the Year category, has expressed that the previous year was nothing short of a dream run for him.
Suryakumar’s unbeaten 111 off just 51 balls in the second T20I against New Zealand showcased a terrific display of creative and fearless T20 hitting, smashing eleven 4’s and seven 6’s in his innings.
Speaking exclusively to ESPNCricinfo post receiving his award for the Men’s T20i Batting Performance of the Year, Suryakumar Yadav said: “The innings against New Zealand at Bay Oval is surely one very close to my heart, most importantly because we won the match. 2022 has been nothing short of a dream run and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you guys for always showing immense love and support.”
”Looking forward to this year, especially the ODI World Cup at home and hoping to win it for the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana, who bagged the award for the Women’s T20I Batting Performance of the Year, said: “This award is for T20 batting performance for my innings in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth. Yeah, I think for the whole team, the whole tournament was quiet special and for me as well the semi-final, ofcourse, we couldn’t win in the final but the win in the semi-final and that innings is a special innings and will be special for a very long time. So thank you for this award.”
Speaking exclusively to ESPNCricinfo after receiving the award for the T20 League Batting Performance of the Year, Rajat Patidar said “The innings that I played in the IPL against Lucknow Super Giants. And I’m, you know, very happy, honoured with such a great award. So, thank you so much to ESPNCricinfo.”
After receiving the award for the ESPNCricinfo Awards 2023 Women’s T20i Bowling Performance of the Year, Renuka Singh said “The spell against Australia is very memorable for me because they are one of the strongest teams. And to pick four wickets against them boosted my confidence to another level. The whole Commonwealth Games tournament was special not just for me, but for the entire team. It gave me confidence to perform in other tournaments as well. I was excited to play against them because I knew I would get to learn a lot. Once again, thank you so much for giving me this award.”