Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who was awarded the Polly Umrigar award for the BCCI International Cricketer of the Year at the cricket board’s annual awards in Bengaluru on Wednesday, said he always wanted to be one of the top players in the world.
The 28-year-old , who is the first Indian cricketer to receive the Umrigar award for the third time, admitted that the last 12 months have been a breakthrough period in his career.
I always wanted to be one of the top players in the world, so I understood what it would take to maintain my form in all three formats. I take the captaincy as an opportunity and not as a job. It’s a responsibility that I need to do the right things, set the right examples and follow a certain path that the whole team believes in.Virat Kohli
While the last two times he won the trophy for his performances, this time round he’s also winning it for his outings as the full-time Test skipper of the Indian team. In the 2015-2016 cricket season, Virat led India in 8 Test matches and won 5 of them. The skipper himself scored a total of 447 runs, including a century.
The last 10-12 months have been quite unbelievable. As cricketers, you always have a breakthrough year, starting late of 2015 to probably the end of 2016, I could recall when I grow older, as the breakthrough year in my career.Virat Kohli
The Delhi batsman, who led India to an unprecedented 19-Test unbeaten streak, revealed that a lot of people doubted his abilities when he emerged into the international scene.
There were a lot of people who doubted my abilities but I have that belief in myself and if I give my 120 percent everyday then I don’t think I am answerable to anyone.
Hailing his teammates for the support and performance in making the team No.1 in Tests, Kohli said:
It couldn’t have been possible without the help of my teammates. Whenever we had a poor time, one of the champions in our side took the responsibility and stood up. That’s why we are a champion team and are the No.1 Test team in the world. If we can win together, we should also learn to embrace the losses together.
Ravichandran Ashwin Wins Hearts With Acceptance Speech
Ravichandran Ashwin became the first Indian to receive the Dilip Sardesai award twice.
Just when the off-spinner had finished his acceptance speech at the BCCI Awards 2017, former India keeper Farookh Engineer asked him, "What's there in Karnataka water that produces great spinners like Chandra (BS Chadrasekhar), Prasanna and you?"
At his wittiest best, Ashwin, who comes from Tamil Nadu, brought the house down.
Not to bring politics in it but we had some Cauvery water recently in Tamil Nadu! I think it should be that.Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin has bagged the award for his brilliant performance in India’s tour of West Indies in 2016. The 30-year-old scalped 17 wickets (two-five-wicket hauls) and scored two centuries in the four-match series.
As he spoke, Ashwin touched a lot of hearts and one could gauge the appreciation in the eyes of legends like Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna.
I just heard numbers of Mr Bedi and Mr Prasanna and I will have to add my gully cricket wickets, if I have to get near them! They are insane numbers. I don’t think I will ever be able to get near them.Ravichandran Ashwin
On being conferred with the Dilip Sardesai award for his best performance against the West Indies, Ashwin spoke about what captain Virat Kohli had told him once.
"Virat said one thing before 'if this team can achieve something special, we can create great memories'. We prepared a charter here. When we embarked on our journey, everyone was happy, we created more memories than playing great cricket there. My love affair with West Indies, I just think, sometimes when you know you have done well against a team, the edges also don't carry to the fielder."
(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)