India’s swashbuckling opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has been named as one of the Five Cricketers of the Year, an honour dating back to 1889, by Wisden for his performance in 2013.
The 28-year-old Dhawan was the highest run-scorer during India’s triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy, amassing 363 runs in five ODIs at an average of 90.75.
He was awarded Man of the Series for his performance that included centuries against South Africa and West Indies.
His performance during the tournament in England was acknowledged by Wisden, which also named Australian duo Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris, England batsman Joe Root and England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards in the list.
Opener Rogers, fast bowler Harris and Root were chosen for their contributions to the 2013 Ashes, while Edwards was acknowledged for leading the English side to the finals of the recent World Twenty20.
In 2013, Dhawan scored 1162 runs in 26 ODIs at an average of 50.52, but the left-hander is currently going through a dip in form and was dropped from the side after the Bangladesh match during the just-concluded World Twenty20.
The Cricketer of the Year is chosen by the editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, based on their “excellence in, or performance on, the previous English summer”.
It can be won only once in a player’s career.
Dale Steyn was Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for 2013. He was the second South African to be selected for the award after Jacques Kallis in 2007.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who quit international cricket last year after an illustrious 24-year long career, adorned the covers of the 151st edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.
The 40-year-old cricketer is the first Indian to feature on the cover of the Almanack. He was earlier chosen to feature on the cover of the second edition of the Wisden India Almanack.
The yellow page shows Tendulkar walking out of the Wankhede stadium after playing his last innings against the West Indies in November last year.
The photograph captured Tendulkar acknowledging the crowd with his bat raised. “Sachin simply picks himself,” said Lawrence Booth, the Wisden editor.
“His status and influence on the game are beyond question. Wisden is delighted to add its own tribute to an exceptional career in this year’s Almanack.”
The Wisden said: “Tendulkar played Test matches in front of the most demanding fans in the world for 24 years.”
Wisden also compared Tendulkar’s record with England skipper Alastair Cook and Australia captain Michael Clarke.