Virat Kohli’s prolific 2018 has been reflected in the ICC awards with the India captain winning the year’s three biggest prizes — Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Cricketer of the Year, Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year.

He thus became the first player to win all three top awards. The 30-year-old finished the year as the top-ranked batsman in Tests and ODIs.

Kohli scored 1322 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 55.08 with five centuries, and 1202 runs in 14 ODIs at 133.55, with six centuries.

His performance is put into sharper context by the fact that India played most of their cricket in 2018 away from the subcontinent — there were tours of South Africa, England and Australia, apart from the home series against the West Indies.

“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,” Kohli told the ICC.

“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.

“To be rewarded in this manner from among all of them is 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. From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation,” said the India captain.

The 36-member voting panel was unanimous in picking Kohli for the Sobers award, with Kagiso Rabada finishing second both for the overall category and the one for Test players. Rashid Khan was the runner-up for the ODI award.

Among the other major winners were Rishabh Pant, who was named the Emerging Cricketer of the Year. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman made his Test and ODI debuts in 2018 and put in a number of noteworthy performances.

In eight Tests in the year, Pant scored 537 runs, with a century — 114 in the second innings against England at The Oval. He was also good behind the stumps, grabbing 40 catches and pulling off two stumpings.

Aaron Finch’s 172 off just 76 balls in Harare against Zimbabwe in July was chosen as the best T20I knock of the year. Kumar Dharmasena was named the Umpire of the Year, while Kane Williamson won the Spirit of Cricket award. India's victory in the Under-19 World Cup was voted as the Fans’ Moment of the Year.

Illustration by Rahul Awasthi

Illustration by Rahul Awasthi