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| Sachin Tendulkar |
“Better late than never.” That’s how Sachin Tendulkar reacted when asked
as to why it took him so long to win the ICC Cricketer of the Year
award. But on Wednesday, Tendulkar finally got what he deserved for long
as he won the coveted award at a glittering function here. Tendulkar
became only the second Indian — Rahul Dravid had won it at the inaugural
awards ceremony in 2004 — to win the big prize.
It was double bonanza for Tendulkar who also won the inaugural ‘People’s
Choice’ award. The maestro also made it to the ICC World ODI XI as well
as the Test XI.
Tendulkar could have won four awards, but Virender Sehwag edged past
him to be adjudged ICC Test Cricketer of the Year. Sehwag obviously
found a place in the World Test XI. In the ODI Player of the Year
category, Tendulkar lost out to South Africa’s AB de Villiers.
“To
get these awards it’s really special. It started six years ago but as I
said earlier it’s better late than never,” Tendulkar said. “It’s a way
of appreciating one’s performance and I am feeling really good. It feels
wonderful to have these trophies with me. Last season was really
special for me as well as the entire Indian team,” Tendulkar added.
Not
many were surprised when ICC president Sharad Pawar announced Sachin
Tendulkar’s name ahead of Hashim Amla (SA), Sehwag and Graeme Swann
(Eng). It was the year that Tendulkar reached new heights in ODIs. First
came the 175-run knock against Australia in Hyderabad — albeit in a
losing cause — and then the big one, the majestic, historic, and
mind-numbing double-hundred against South Africa in Gwalior.
Tendulkar
played 17 ODIs and scored 914 runs, including three centuries. His Test
record was equally great. In 10 matches, he scored 1,064 runs at an
average of 81.25 with six centuries.
Wednesday’s party didn’t end
there as India skipper MS Dhoni found a place in both the World Test XI
and World ODI XI. In fact, he was named captain of the World Test XI.
The
ICC also inducted Courtney Walsh, Joel Garner, Rachael Heyhoe Flint and
the late Ken Barrington into the ICC Hall of Fame, with Flint becoming
the first woman player to be inducted into the elite club.
