The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Team India skipper Virat Kohli as the cricketer of the decade. The 32-year-old remained the only batsman to average in excess of 50 in all formats. On top of that, Kohli scored a mind-boggling 71 international centuries and was miles ahead of his contemporaries.
The Indian captain scored 43 ODI centuries and 27 Test centuries ever since he made his debut on the back of impressive run in the U-19 World Cup where he led his side to the title. In T20Is, Kohli scored the most runs at a phenomenal average of over 50 and strike rate touching 140. Virat Kohli was selected as a winner by the combination of fans, broadcasters, cricket legends and several cricket experts.
Virat Kohli sweeps ICC awards show
Meanwhile, yesterday, the talismanic run-scorer featured in all three teams of the decade announced by ICC. He is the only cricketer across the globe to feature in all the teams and was even named as the skipper of the Test side. While Kohli was a clear choice when it came to ODI cricketer of the year, Virat Kohli faced stiff competition for the cricketer of the decade award.
The last decade has produced a handful of quality cricketers who have entertained the fans with this brilliant display. However, Kohli left behind all his contemporaries by a fair margin. Apart from his stellar show with the bat, Kohli has enjoyed a good run as the captain of Team India taking them to new heights in the last couple of years.
Also Read: MS Dhoni Named Captain Of ICC’s ODI & T20 Team Teams Of The Decade
The incredible Virat Kohli wins the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade 🙌
🏏 Most runs in the #ICCAwards period: 20,396
💯 Most hundreds: 66
🙌 Most fifties: 94
🅰️ Highest average among players with 70+ innings: 56.97
🏆 2011 @cricketworldcup champion pic.twitter.com/lw0wTNlzGi— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2020
Also Read: Virat Kohli Named Captain Of The Test Team Of The Decade; One More Indian Included
Overall, in the last decade of cricket, Virat Kohli scored the most runs, most hundreds, most fifties across all formats. Hence this didn’t come as a surprise that Kohli won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers award for ICC male cricketer of the decade.