Current Affairs | January 2024

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inaugurated by Prime Minister ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023
Narendra Modi • Veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli was crowned the ICC
On January 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023 for his exceptional
inaugurated the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking a year in the 50-over format. Player of the tournament at the
momentous occasion in India’s history. The inauguration ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli was
involved the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremony of the announced as the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
Ram Lalla idol, a pivotal event that symbolizes the infusion of 2023. The Indian batter had a superb year with the bat,
life into the idol. The event, attended by over 7,000 dignitaries, culminating in a record tally of runs at the home World
was not just a religious ceremony but also a cultural milestone Cup, where his contributions played a major part in India’s
for India. run to the final.
Prime Minister’s Participation ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2023
Prime Minister Modi’s involvement was central to the • Usman Khawaja was named as the ICC Men’s Test
ceremony. He participated in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the Ram Cricketer of the Year 2023. Khawaja edged out tough
Lalla idol from 12:29:03 pm to 12:30:35 pm, a brief but highly competition from teammate Travis Head, India spinner
auspicious 84-second window during the ‘Abhijit muhurta’. His Ravichandran Ashwin, and England’s Joe Root for the
visit to Ayodhya spanned nearly four hours, filled with various award following a successful year that culminated in
activities and rituals associated with the inauguration. Australia claiming their first ICC World Test Championship
The Ram Lalla Idol and Temple Complex title. He scored 1210 runs in 13 Tests in the year.
The Ram Lalla idol, crafted by renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year
from Karnataka, is a 51-inch black-coloured depiction of Lord 2023
Ram as a five-year-old child. It was installed inside the temple’s
• England’s all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt took home the
sanctum sanctorum on January 18 as part of the preparatory
Award for the second year in a row. 2023 was yet another
rituals. The temple itself, an architectural marvel, stands at a
remarkable year for Sciver-Brunt, with some of her
length of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of 161
exceptional knocks coming during the home Ashes against
feet, embodying the traditional Nagara style of architecture.
Australia.
Comprehensive Security and Celebrations
Ayodhya was transformed into a secure and festive zone. An ICC Women’s ODI Cricket of the Year 2023
extensive security network, including AI-powered drones and • Chamari Athapaththu, already leading the Women’s T20I
13,000 security personnel, was deployed. The city was adorned and ODI sides of the year, added another feather to her cap
with flowers and lights, echoing with slogans and verses from by winning this feat. Athapaththu was rewarded for her
the Ramayana. The celebrations extended beyond Ayodhya, exceptional year with the bat in ODIs. The Sri Lanka top-
with people from different states contributing various gifts and order batter made significant contributions with the bat
offerings. and as captain, notably leading the side to a first bilateral
series win over New Zealand.
ICC Awards 2023, Check the Awardee’s Name
ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023
The ICC Awards 2023, organized by the International Cricket • Bas de Leede was named as the ICC Men’s Associate
Council, represents the pinnacle of recognition for international Cricketer of the Year 2023 for his remarkable all-round run
cricket players. These prestigious awards celebrate the in the year. He was the standout player for the Netherlands
extraordinary talents and achievements of cricketers from at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier and the
around the world. This year’s ceremony saw a range of players World Cup in India.
being honoured for their exceptional performances across
various formats of the game. ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023
The ICC Awards 2023 witnessed a diverse group of cricketers • Queentor Abel made Kenya proud by winning the ICC
being acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year for 2023. She
sport. picked 30 T20I wickets at an unreal average of 7.36, and
scored 476 T20I runs at 34.
Here are all the winners of ICC Awards 2023:
ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023
ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
• Australia skipper Pat Cummins was announced as the • For the second successive year, India’s T20I beast
winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Suryakumar Yadav has been awarded the ICC Men’s T20I
Cricketer of the Year 2023. The inspirational captain had a Cricketer of the Year award. With his eclectic mix of shots,
stellar run with the bat and ball, and garnered remarkable Suryakumar dominated 2023 with an average that closed in
team accolades, including a victory in the ICC World Test on 50 and a strike rate exceeding 150. The backbone of
Championship Final, retention of the Ashes, and a record India’s middle order got starts throughout the year,
sixth triumph in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. delivering several match-winning contributions.

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