XtraTime Web Desk: Indian skipper Virat Kohli became the first ever cricketer to get all the top honours in the ICC annual awards. Kohli who had a great year in 2018 as a batsman and captain was named ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Test Cricketer of the year and ICC ODI Cricketer of the year along with being named the captain for both the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year.
Earlier Kohli had won the Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the year awards in 2017 as well. Kohli scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 in 13 Tests with five hundred during the calendar year while in 14 ODIs he amassed 1202 runs at an astonishing average of 133.55 with six centuries. He also scored 211 runs in 10 T20Is in 2018 calendar year.
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year ?
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year ?
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year ?India’s superstar @imvKohli wins a hat-trick of prizes in the 2018 #ICCAwards!
➡️ https://t.co/ROBg6RI4aQ pic.twitter.com/MGB84Ct8S9
— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019
“It feels amazing. It’s a reward for all the hard work that you do throughout the calendar year. I feel really grateful and very, very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing. Having recognition at the global level from the ICC is something you feel proud of as a cricketer because you understand that there are many players playing the game,” Kohli said.
“To be rewarded in this manner from amongst all of them is obviously a very proud moment for me and something that gives you more motivation to keep repeating the same things because you have to keep the standard of cricket up and keep bringing inconsistent performances. From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation,” he further added.
Kohli had won the Sir Garfield Trophy and ICC ODI Player of the Year awards last year and was also the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012.
“This is well-deserved recognition for extraordinary talent. His regard for the game and particularly for Test cricket is also recognized and appreciated. He is passionate in his support of the longest form of the game and its continued importance. To be recognized as a true cricketing great you need to be successful at all formats of the game and Virat has become a great ambassador for our sport,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson heaped praises on Kohli.