Virat Kohli named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2012, Sangakkara walks away with three honours

Virat Kohli has been named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2012 at the LG ICC Awards here on Saturday, says a report in The Indian Express, adding that during the performance period, Kohli played 31 ODIs and compiled 1,733 runs at an average of 66.65, including eight centuries and six half-centuries. His highest score, 183, came against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on 18 March 2012.

The independent voting academy of 32 highly credentialed cricket experts put Kohli first, ahead of such talented and in-form players as Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga as well as Kohli’s India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli said upon receiving the honour: “I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it’s worked for me on the field. This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It’s been an all-round effort and I’m very happy to have won this award. It’s always nice to be recognized by the ICC and it’s a great feeling and it’s the first time I’ve won one of these awards and it feels great.”

According to a report in The DNA, India's Virat Kohli was Saturday rewarded for his dream run in the last 12 months as he was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year, while Kumar Sangakkara walked away with three honours, including the Cricketer of the Year, in the ICC annual awards function here. The Sri Lankan veteran was also named the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, besides winning the People's Choice Award.

In 14 Tests, Sangakkara scored 1,444 runs at an average of 60.16, including five centuries and five half-centuries. In addition, he played 37 ODIs, hitting 1,457 runs at 42.85, with three centuries and nine half-centuries. He has also effected 42 dismissals in the ODIs.

"This is an amazing honour and I've seen the people who have won it before me and the nominees too, to be named alongside them is wonderful," Sangakkara said.

Meanwhile The Times Of India writes that even as he continues to dominate bowlers the world over, Indian batsman Virat Kohli says his mantra to success lies in keeping things simple. "I don't thing too much about anything. I just try and keep things simple and see how the situation goes, just try to tackle things," Kohli said, adding, "It's always great to be recognised, especially by the ICC.”.