India’s Virat Kohli claims hat-trick in ICC awards

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Cricket's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has announced the names of the winners of its annual awards for the year 2018. India's captain Virat Kohli led the pack as the prolific batsman became the first-ever cricketer to win three awards – the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year awards – for his sublime form in an extraordinary 2018.

Fresh from leading his side to a historic first-ever Test and ODI series win in Australia, Kohli has also been chosen as captain of the ICC Test and ODI teams after piling up 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 in 13 Tests with five hundreds during the calendar year while accumulating 1202 runs at a stunning average of 133.55 with six centuries in 14 ODIs in the year. His tally for the just bygone year was 211 runs in 10 T20Is.

Captain Virat Kohli of India poses with ICC Cricket World Cup trophy during the Australia v India ODI Series Captains Trophy Session at SCG in Sydney, Australia, January 11, 2019. /VCG Photo

The 30-year-old Indian cricketing icon from Delhi, finished the year as the top-ranked batsman in both Tests and ODIs and was also the highest scorer in both forms of the game in 2018.

After being chosen for three incredible awards, Kohli stated to the ICC: “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.”

“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 in consistent performances. From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation,” the dashing batsman added.

Australia's captain Aaron Finch raises his bat on reaching his century during the third match played between Australia and hosts Zimbabwe as part of a T20 tri-series at Harare Sports Club, July 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

Among the other prominent winners, Australian opener Aaron Finch has been chosen for the ICC Men's T20I Performance of the Year award for the second time for his world record 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare last July.

Rishabh Pant of India celebrates scoring a century during day two of the Fourth Test match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia, January 04, 2019. /VCG File Photo

Young Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been named as the ICC Emerging Player of the Year, Scotland's Calum MacLeod crowned the ICC Associate Player of the Year, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the ICC Spirit of Cricket award and Kumar Dharmasena is the ICC Umpire of the Year 2018, winning the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy.

Meanwhile, India winning the ICC U19 World Cup in New Zealand has been voted as the Fans' Moment of the Year with 48 per cent of the votes ahead of Afghanistan's miracle comeback at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.