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Virat Kohli was named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2012 at the LG ICC Awards in Colombo on Saturday. During the performance period, he 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.” Based on the period between 4 August 2011 and 6 August 2012, the LG ICC Awards 2012 take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game. For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Spirit of Cricket Award and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 32-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

Virat Kohli is ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2012