‘Reward for All the Hard Work’: Kohli On ICC Awards Clean-sweep

Virat Kohli became the first player to win all three – Test, ODI, Overall Cricketer of the Year – at the ICC Awards.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Indian Cricket Team)

“It’s a reward for all the hard work that you do throughout the calendar year,” said Virat Kohli after making a clean-sweep at the ICC Annual Awards on Tuesday, 22 January, following an extraordinary 2018. The Indian captain in all formats 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.

“I’m very grateful I won it (Cricketer of the Year & ODI Player of the Year), second year in a row. I feel very happy with the team doing well, while at the same time myself performing as well. I’m very happy with the awards,” said Kohli.

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. Kohli scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 in 13 Tests with five hundreds during the calendar year, while 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 T20Is.

“Recognition at the global level from the ICC is something which you feel proud of as a cricketer because you understand that there are many players playing the game, and to be rewarded in this manner amongst all of them is a very proud moment for me. It’s something that gives me more motivation to keep repeating the same things because you have to keep the standard of cricket up and keep bringing in consistent performances.”

Virat Kohli

A year that saw Kohli become the fastest to reach the 10,000-run mark in ODIs, also saw him scores Test centuries in South Africa, England and Australia.

“It has been an amazing year. I was able to play in a manner that I would not have imagined. If the intention is right and you keep working hard, the results are there in front of your own eyes. The intent has always to be helping your team at any cost, that is when these performances come by and you are pushing yourself to the limit, which you otherwise will not be able to. That is something I experienced in 2018 a lot,” he said.

Kohli also ended 2018 as the top-ranked Test and ODI batsman while India finished the year as the top-ranked side in Tests and number two behind England in ODIs.

The Men in Blue won six Tests and lost seven during the voting period that ran from 1 January to 31 December 2018 and included victories in South Africa, England and Australia, as also some other close matches in away series. In ODIs, Kohli led India to nine victories, with four losses and one tied match.

“My personal favourite moment of 2018 was the win at Adelaide against Australia. To start the series in that manner was something very very special. And the MCG Test, the Boxing Day was huge. These two moments were my personal best from the team point of view. And those are the only memories that actually matters, when the team does well and you’re a part of that environment.”

Virat Kohli