In a new regular feature for the magazine, WCM magazine editor Jo Harman picks an XI from the previous month based on individual performances from across the game. This month’s side includes players from the WBBL, Sheffield Shield and Women’s Asia Cup as well as the ongoing men’s T20 World Cup.

Kohli is included as the side’s No.3 and captain after he averaged 205.00 across the four matches he played in October with a strike-rate of over 150. His supreme 82* from 53 balls against Pakistan which has been hailed as his greatest ever knock, guided his team to a thrilling victory over their rivals.

The innings against Pakistan was preceded by a 49* in the final T20I of India’s series against South Africa, and was followed by another half-century against the Netherlands. Despite India’s thumping defeat to England in the semi-final of the tournament at the Adelaide Oval, Kohli’s individual performances showed him to be back to his very best after a few years of middling form.

“The King is back,” wrote Harman. “After ending his 83-innings wait for an international century during September’s Asia Cup, Kohli’s masterful 82* from 53 balls steered India to a thrilling victory over Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in one of the most memorable matches in the format’s history. He followed up with a more sedate 62* from 44 in a comprehensive win over the Netherlands.”

Other notable names selected in the XI include Rilee Rossouw, who scored two T20I centuries in October, once against India in their bilateral series and then against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup. Rossouw is back in the South Africa side after a six-year absence but announced his international return emphatically with an unbeaten 96 against England in the summer. He is selected as an opener in the XI.

Sikandar Raza is another high-profile name in the side after he lead his team’s T20 World Cup campaign which saw the notch up wins over Pakistan, Ireland and Scotland. Deepti Sharma is also selected after her superb Player of the Tournament performance in the women’s Asia Cup, and Sam Curran also makes the XI after he became the first England men’s bowler to take a five-for in a T20I.

Wisden Cricket Monthly’s October 2022 Team of the Month

Rilee Rossouw (South Africa)
Phoebe Litchfield (Sydney Thunder and NSW)
Virat Kohli (India) (c)
Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) (wk)
Pete Handscomb (Victoria)
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
Sam Curran (England)
Deepti Sharma (India)
Amanda-Jade Wellington (Adelaide Strikers)
Josh Little (Ireland)
Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)

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