Kohli named captain of ICC's Test and ODI teams of the year

The ICC Test team of the year also included Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls of New Zealand, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah of India, Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne, Windies' Jason Holder, Kagiso Rabada of South Africa, and Nathan Lyon of Australia.

ICC Test Team of the Year 2017-18: Tom Latham (NZ), Dimuth Karunaratne (SL), Kane Williamson (NZ), Virat Kohli (captain) (IND), Henry Nicholls (NZ), Rishabh Pant (IND), Jason Holder (WI), Kagiso Rabada (SA), Nathan Lyon (Aus), Jasprit Bumrah (IND), Mohammad Abbas (PAK). The Indian skipper struck 11 centuries in both ODIs and Tests.

"It's a reward for all the hard work that you do throughout the calendar year". I feel really grateful and very, very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing.

Reacting to the news, an elated Kohli said: "It has been an incredible year". He then also became the first wicketkeeper from his country to score a Test hundred in Australia. In addition, the India captain was also named the captain of the ICC Test Team and the ODI Team of 2018. "From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation".

The 30-year-old Kohli, who first came into limelight when he led India to victory at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008, finished the year as the top-ranked batsman in Tests and ODIs.

India fought back from one down in the three-match ODI series with Australia to win the remaining two matches and pick up a superb series win that will give them big confidence coming into this clash with New Zealand.

"This is well-deserved recognition for an extraordinary talent".

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). His regard for the game and particularly for Test cricket is also recognized and appreciated. The ICC will announce the individual awards later Tuesday. He is passionate in his support of the longest form of the game and its continued importance.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was runner up to Kohli for the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.

The Indian skipper has scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55.08 with five centuries in 13 test matches for India.

Virat is not the only Indian to feature in the ICC Awards recipient's list.