'All Hail The King': Twitter salutes Virat Kohli as Indian captain sweeps ICC Awards

Virat Kohli has become the first cricketer to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year awards following an extraordinary 2018.

The Indian skipper had won the Sir Garfield Trophy and ICC ODI Player of the Year awards last year and was also the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012.

“It feels amazing. It is a reward for all the hard work that you do throughout the calendar year. I feel really grateful and very happy with the team doing well at the same time myself performing. Having recognition at the global level from the ICC is something you feel proud of as a cricketer because you understand that there are many players playing the game,” the 30-year-old said on Tuesday.

“To be rewarded in this manner from amongst all of them is obviously a very proud moment for me and something that gives you more motivation to keep repeating the same things because you have to keep the standard of cricket up and keep bringing inconsistent performances. From that point of view, these awards give you that extra motivation,” he added.

Sachin Tendulkar was one of the people who praised Virat Kohli for his historic win. He tweeted, "Hard work and perseverance always pays off. Congratulations on winning a hat-trick of awards at the #ICCAwards announced today, @imVkohli! Very proud of your achievements."

Hard work and perseverance always pays off. Congratulations on winning a hat-trick of awards at the #ICCAwards announced today, @imVkohli! Very proud of your achievements. https://t.co/WECKac3ne9 — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 22 January 2019

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) 22 January 2019

Well & Truly, The King 
ICC Cricketer of the Year 
ICC Test Player of the Year 
ICC ODI Player of the Year #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/krtf1ucIPF — BCCI (@BCCI) 22 January 2019

Really delighted to know that @imVkohli has taken home all of the top honours at the #ICCAwards2018! Many congratulations to you! — cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) 22 January 2019

Terrific terrific achievement.. Well done @imVkohli https://t.co/7QT5QnFtYR — Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) 22 January 2019

Virat Kohli will remember 2018 for a long time. To win three ICC awards (Best ODI player, best test player and Cricketer of the Year) is very special. Watching him bat in 2018 was heartwarming. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 22 January 2019

Virat Kohli does a hat-trick in the ICC Awards 2018. Named Cricketer of the Year, the Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year.

The first player in history to win the three major awards. #ICCAwards — Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) 22 January 2019

Outstanding feat! Exceptional yet again from Virat Kohli. Sweeping the #ICCAwards @BCCI @ICC https://t.co/kx2hn1Zrni — Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) 22 January 2019

Kohli is not only the first player to win these three major ICC awards together but he has also been named the captain of the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year for a fabulous run in international cricket. 

India are also the most well-represented team in the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year. Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are two Indian players to feature in both squads.