There are always two sides to a story, like two sides to a coin. Indian cricket in 2023 has a similar narrative. You can look it as another year in which India failed to win an ICC trophy or laud the processes that were put in place to achieve the ultimate glory. And none of you are going to disagree that 2023 was a landmark year for women’s cricket with the inaugural edition of the WPL and the Test victories. Isn’t it?

Rohit Sharma’s heroic World Cup show and his subsequent removal from Mumbai Indians captaincy dominated the headlines in 2023. Hardik Pandya was seen as Rohit’s successor in white-ball cricket, but he has had some difficult injury concerns.

Wasn’t it the year of comebacks for the Rahuls? (Dravid and KL).

At the forefront of India’s cricketing triumphs was Rohit whose captaincy and opening prowess in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 left an indelible mark. Sharma’s leadership was characterised by strategic acumen and an aggressive approach that set the tone for the team’s performance throughout the tournament.

Rohit may not have won the World Cup for India, but his showing will go down as one of the greatest performances by an Indin captain.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s comeback story in 2023 was nothing short of inspirational. His Test hundred in South Africa was a testament to his resilience and determination and rounded off a year in which he took on new challenges and aced them.

The Indian women’s cricket team also shone brightly in 2023, registering remarkable Test match wins against formidable opponents like England and Australia. These victories were significant, as they highlighted the growing prowess and potential of women’s cricket in India.

Adding to the jubilation of Indian cricket in 2023 was the triumph of MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under Dhoni’s experienced and cool-headed leadership, CSK clinched the title, further cementing Dhoni’s legacy as one of the most successful captains in the history of the IPL.

Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari reflect on Indian cricket’s highs and lows in 2023.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Edited by Sachin Dwivedi.