ICC Awards: King Kohli creates history after winning all top three awards; also named captain of both Test and ODI Teams of the Year

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli was announced ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year. The 30-year-old achieved the historic feat of bagging all the top three ICC awards after a massively run-laded 2018 calendar year. Kohli was also included in both ICC Men’s Test and ODI Teams of the Year while he was also named the captain of the ICC Men’s Test Team and ODI Team of 2018.

The swashbuckling Indian batsman enjoyed an overwhelming 2018 with the bat and led Team India to several victories in all formats of the game. Virat Kohli amassed 1322 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 55.08, 1202 runs in 14 ODIs at an impressive average of 133.56 and 211 runs in 10 T20Is. The Indian skipper struck 11 centuries in both ODIs and Tests.

After winning the prestigious awards, Virat Kohli said, “I feel grateful and very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing. Having recognition at the global level from ICC is something you feel proud of as a cricketer because you understand that there are many players playing the game.”

To be rewarded from amongst them is a very proud moment and gives you motivation to keep repeating same things because you’ve to keep standard of cricket up and keep bringing in consistent performances. From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation.”

Virat Kohli: I feel grateful&very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing. Having recognition at global level from ICC is something you feel proud of as a cricketer bcos you understand that there are many players playing the game. (file pic) #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/UWhFqwShFd

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2019

Among other Indian cricketers, pacer Jasprit Bumrah was included in both ICC Men’s Test and ODI Teams of the Year while Rishabh Pant made it in the Test Team and Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav were included in the ODI team.

ICC announces men's Test and ODI Teams of the Year. Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah included in both the teams. Rishabh Pant makes it to the Test team, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav included in the ODI team. pic.twitter.com/Ss3FY5QWBO

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2019

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year: Tom Latham (New Zealand), Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Virat Kohli (India) (c), Henry Nicholls (New Zealand), Rishabh Pant (India) (wk), Jason Holder (Windies), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa), Nathan Lyon (Australia), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan).

ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year: Rohit Sharma (India), Jonny Bairstow (England), Virat Kohli (India) (c), Joe Root (England), Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Jos Buttler (England) (wk), Ben Stokes (England), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Kuldeep Yadav (India), Jasprit Bumrah (India).