5 Things We Learnt From Cricket In 2023

One of cricket's many allures is that it's an allegory of life. What we learn from playing or watching the game can apply to our everyday lives, work, and personal growth. In that context, here are five takeaways from a year of great cricket in 2023.

- Sumit Chakraberty

A GROWTH MINDSET

Pat Cummins had led Australia in only four ODIS before the 2023 World Cup in October-November. When he candidly admitted he was still figuring out the nuances of the 50-over format and finding it hard to read Indian pitches, many reacted with derision. After Australia lost the first two games in the tournament, a former Australia captain wondered if Cummins even deserved to be in the ODI side.

But Cummins' admission of challenges and an attitude of learning worked wonders. He improved as a captain as well as a bowler during the tournament.

In the final at Ahmedabad against India a team that had won every single game till that point-he correctly chose to bowl first on 19 November. He tied down India's middle order mainstay of Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul by cutting off easy singles. Cummins then delivered the coup de grace himself, dismissing Kohli with a surprise bouncer.

His effective use of slow cutters on abrasive surfaces, and marshalling the fielding team when under pressure was masterful in Australia's nine straight wins after the initial two losses. Cummins ultimately made his doubters eat humble pie.

The Australian captain's frank self-appraisal and willingness to learn trumped a know-it-all attitude that often proves our undoing. That's how the understated and underestimated captain won the ODI World Cup, as well as the World Test Championship for Australia this year.

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE

"We wanted to play positive cricket, and that is why we put Richa Ghosh at No.3. We did not want to go back to defensive cricket," said the Indian women's cricket captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, after a historic Test victory over Australia in Mumbai on 24 December. It was the first time India had beaten Australia in women's Test cricket.