Dhoni delighted after bagging top ODI honour

Posted on Sep 11, 2008 at 16:51 | Updated Sep 12, 2008 at 12:54 Comment 10 CommentsEmail Email Print Print


Dubai: Not alien to records and milestones, Mahendra Singh Dhoni grabbed one more on Wednesday night when he became the first Indian to win the ICC ODI Player of the Year award and the star stumper-batsman is relishing it.

"It feels great to know that I am the first Indian player to get this particular award and it's very special because now I am in the company of a lot of other good cricketers," said an elated Dhoni.

The Indian beat off tough competition from team-mate Sachin Tendulkar, Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken and Pakistan stalwart Mohammad Yousuf to take the prestigious award.

"Some fantastic players have won this award in the past and to be mentioned in their company is truly a humbling experience for me," said India's ODI and Twenty20 captain.

During the voting period, Dhoni played 39 ODIs and scored 1,298 runs at an average of 49.92 and at a strike-rate of 82.46 runs per 100 balls faced. In that time he hit a century and nine fifties, making sure he led his team from the front.

Also in that time, the wicketkeeper in him effected 62 dismissals — 46 catches and 16 stumpings — which is almost twice as many as the next best.

Currently ranked number one in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, Dhoni thanked all for standing by him.

"I would like to thank the Voting Academy for considering me to be deserving of this award. I am really happy to get this it's a great privilege.

"I would like to thank the ICC, my home cricket board, my family, my team-mates and friends," said the star player.

Dhoni also featured on the ICC ODI Team of the Year, picked by the ICC selection panel.

Post a comment

Log in with CricketNext ID.

Log in with Facebook ID .

Ads by Google

  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Galle
  • India vs West Indies, 3rd ODI
  • India gear up for counter-punch
  • India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI
  • India vs West Indies, 1st ODI
  • Wounded India gear up for Windies
  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, World T20 final
  • Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2nd semi-final
  • Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st semi-final
  • India vs South Africa, ICC World T20
  • England vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs Ireland, ICC World T20
  • India vs England, ICC World T20
  • Ireland vs Sri Lanka, ICC World T20
  • Pakistan vs New Zealand, ICC World T20
  • South Africa vs West Indies, ICC World T20
  • How Windies outshine India in Super Eights
  • World T20 Super Eights, India vs West Indies
  • Super Eights, England vs South Africa
  • India vs Ireland, ICC World T20