Virat Kohli sweeps ICC top awards; crowned best ODI and Test batsman, adjudged Men's Cricketer of the Year

Indian skipper and batting mainstay Virat Kohli was on Tuesday named captain of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test and ODI teams of the year, leading the country’s domination in both the line-ups. The Indian skipper also won the Sir Garfield Sobers ICC Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year. Three players each from India and New Zealand feature in the Test team, while four each from India and England are part of the ODI side of the year 2018. The ICC will announce the individual awards later Tuesday. “…Virat Kohli named captain of both sides following a remarkable 2018 as batsman and skipper,” the ICC said in a statement.

For the second year running, @imVkohli is the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year! 👏

He scored 1,202 ODI runs in 2018 at a stunning average of 133.55. He also became the fastest to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in the format.

➡️ https://t.co/ROBg6RI4aQ#ICCAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/m2CPb0vIGF

— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019

The Test team features compatriots, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is the only player apart from Kohli to feature in both the sides.

🇮🇳 @imvKohli has been named ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year for the first time!

He was the top run-scorer in Tests with 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08, with centuries in each of South Africa, England, India and Australia.

➡️ https://t.co/ROBg6RI4aQ#ICCAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GVBBYndUwg

— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019

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The ODI team has opener Rohit Sharma, spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Bumrah from India along with Kohli, while England are represented by Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. The annual awards are selected by the ICC Voting Academy comprising former players, members of the media and broadcasters. Kohli’s 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 with five centuries in 13 Tests and 1,202 runs at an astounding average of 133.55 with six hundreds in 14 ODIs saw him selected to both sides by every voting member of the Academy with the majority of them also opting to name him at the helm of each. Kohli also ended 2018 as the top-ranked Test and ODI batsman in the player rankings while his side finished the year as the top-ranked side in Tests and number two behind England in ODIs.

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 🏆
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 🏆
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 🏆

India’s superstar @imvKohli wins a hat-trick of prizes in the 2018 #ICCAwards!

➡️ https://t.co/ROBg6RI4aQ pic.twitter.com/MGB84Ct8S9

— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019

India won six Tests and lost seven during the voting period that ran from January 1 to December 31, 2018. In ODIs, Kohli led India to nine victories, with four losses and one tied match.

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

Kohli reacted to the stellar year he has had, acknowledging the top ICC’s awards that he received in Men’s cricket. The 30-year-old said, “I feel grateful and very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing. Having recognition at global level from ICC is something you feel proud of as a cricketer because you understand that there are many players playing the game,” after being named ICC Cricketer of the Year second time in a row.

ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year ✅
ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year ✅
ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year ✅
Captain of ICC Test Team of the Year ✅
Captain of ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year ✅

Let's hear from the man himself, @imvKohli! #ICCAwards 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3M2pxyC44n

— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year (in batting order): Tom Latham (New Zealand), Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Virat Kohli (India) (capt), Henry Nicholls (New Zealand), Rishabh Pant (India) (wk), Jason Holder (Windies), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa), Nathan Lyon (Australia), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan) ICC Men’s ODI team of the year (in batting order): Rohit Sharma (India), Jonny Bairstow (England), Virat Kohli (India) (capt), Joe Root (England), Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Jos Buttler (England) (wk), Ben Stokes (England), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Kuldeep Yadav (India), Jasprit Bumrah (India).