Indian captain Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to make a clean sweep of individual honours in the ICC annual awards, claiming the Test, ODI and overall Player of the Year trophies, besides being named captain of the world body's all-star teams.
Kohli has become the first player in history to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year - his second consecutive - the ICC Test and the ODI Player of the Year awards following an extraordinary 2018.
'Not only is Kohli the first player to win these three major ICC awards together but he has also been named the captain of the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year for a fabulous run in international cricket,' the ICC said in a statement.
Kohli scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 in 13 Tests with five hundreds in 2018, and in 14 ODIs he amassed 1,202 runs at an astonishing average of 133.55 with six centuries. He also scored 211 runs in 10 T20 matches.
Illustration by Rahul Awasthi
'It's a reward for all the hard work that you do throughout the calendar year. 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 was quoted as saying by the world body in a release. '... 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 in consistent performances,' he added.
Three players each from India and New Zealand feature in the ICC's Test team of the year, while four each from India and England are part of the ODI side of the year 2018.
The Test team features Kohli's compatriots, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, in just his breakthrough Test year, and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is the only player apart from Kohli to feature in both the sides.
The ODI team has opener Rohit Sharma, spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah from India along with Kohli, while England are represented by Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.
Graphic by Rahul Awasthi
The 30-year-old, who first came into limelight when he led India to victory at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia in 2008, finished the year as the top-ranked batsman in Tests and ODIs.
The highest scorer in both forms of the game in 2018, he was one of only two batsmen to score more than 1,000 runs in Tests and only among three to do so in ODI cricket.
Kohli was the unanimous choice of the voting academy for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy with South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada coming in second for both this award and the Test Player of the Year honour.
'This is well-deserved recognition for an extraordinary talent. His regard for the game, and particularly for Test cricket, is also recognised and appreciated,' ICC chief executive David Richardson said.
'He is passionate in his support of the longest form of the game and its continued importance...Virat has become a great ambassador for our sport,' he added.
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was runner-up to Kohli for the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.
India won six Tests and lost seven during the voting period that ran from January 1 to December 31, 2018. In ODIs, Kohli led India to nine victories, with four losses and one tied match.
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.
