Virat Kohli Bags Three Major ICC Awards, Only Player To Take So

It has been quite a year for Virat Kohli in his professional career. Whatever he touched has turned out to be gold, as far as his individual game is concerned. He was among the run-scorers across the formats with impeccable numbers in his kitty. Meanwhile, he creates history by bagging three major ICC Awards for his contributions in 2018.

The India captain becomes the first player to win all three of top awards after being named the captain of the Test and ODI teams earlier in the day. He clean swept all the major records, which would be one of the greatest moments in his cricketing career.

He became the first player in history to win 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 following an extraordinary 2018.

It is an amazing feeling – Virat Kohli

Speaking of the victory, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli quoted that it is pretty pleasing to collect the trophies. Further, he added that the recognition at the global is something, which makes him proud of bagging those honours.

“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.

37 matches, 47 innings.
2,735 runs at an average of 68.37.
11 centuries, 9 fifties.

What a year for @imvKohli! He wins the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2018! ?

➡️ https://t.co/ROBg6RI4aQ#ICCAwards ? pic.twitter.com/oeSClhcfJQ

— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019

“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 scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 in 13 Tests with five centuries 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 fact, he missed out few games owing to rest, where he would have cracked a few more centuries by going with his form.

ICC Chief hails Virat Kohli:

Meanwhile, the ICC Chief David Richardson quoted that Virat is thoroughly deserving to collect all those trophies for his brilliant show in 2018. He also termed that Kohli is their biggest brand ambassador across the globe.

“This is well-deserved recognition for an 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,” he inferred.

Kohli was the undisputed choice of the Voting Academy for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada came close but couldn’t overhaul the Indian skipper. Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan was runner up to Kohli for the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.