THE WAIT for annual International Cricket Council (ICC) awards ended yesterday night (September 10). Organised in the glamorous city of Dubai, the awards function brought double treat for India. India’s one-day international (ODI) captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni bagged the ODI ’Player of the Year’ award. While Indian ODI vice-captain, Yuvraj Singh clinched the ’Twenty20 International Performance of the Year’ award. West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul won ’Cricketer of the Year’ award and South African Dale Steyn lifted the ’Test Cricketer of the Year’ award.

World’s current number one ODI batsman, Dhoni beat team-mate Sachin Tendulkar, Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf and Australian fast bowler Nathan Bracken to take the honour. During the period of voting, the Indian ODI captain played 39 ODIs and scored 1,298 runs at an average of 49.92 with a strike rate of 82.46 runs per 100 balls faced. Dhoni scored a century and nine 50s and led his team to victories many time. Besides, in the role of wicketkeeper, Dhoni claimed 62 dismissals (46 catches and 16 stumpings).

Yuvraj Singh was honoured with the T20 award for his six sixes in an over off English bowler Stuart Broad in the inaugural Twenty20 world championship in South Africa last year. Yuvraj Singh was facing stiff competition from ODI captain Dhoni, Chris Gayle of the West Indies and Australia’s Brett Lee.

West Indies’ veteran player Shivnarine Chanderpaul was honoured with ’Cricketer of the Year’ award for his fine performances in tests and limited overs cricket. Chanderpaul beat Srilankan captain Mahela Jayawardena and South Africans Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn. During the voting period, Chandepaul played eight test matches, scoring 819 runs at an average of 91.00, with three centuries and six 50s. He also played 13 ODIs during that time, scored 598 at an average of 74.75 that included a century and five fifties.

South African fast bowler Steyn bagged the Test Cricketer of the Year award.

Steyn beat off Chanderpaul, Jayawardene and team-mate Jacques Kallis to win the first ICC award of his career. During the voting period, Steyn took 86 wickets at an average of just 18.10 in the 14 test matches.

Two other Indians, Tendulkar and Ishant Sharma failed to win ODI Best Player and Emerging Player awards respectively at the glittering ceremony. Ishant lost the crown to Sri Lankan unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, who swept the Emerging Player of the Year award.

However, Tendulkar, found a place in the 12-man World ODI Team of the Year led by Australian Ricky Ponting. On the other hand, Virender Sehwag is the only Indian cricketer included in the 12-man World Test Team of the Year led by South African Graeme Smith.

World Test Team of the Year (in batting order):
Graeme Smith (South Africa, captain); Virender Sehwag (India); Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka); Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies); Kevin Pietersen (England); Jacques Kallis (South Africa); Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, wicket keeper); Brett Lee (Australia); Ryan Sidebottom (Eng); Dale Steyn (South Africa); Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka); 12th man: Stuart Clark (Australia)

ICC World ODI Team of the Year (in batting order):
Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa); Sachin Tendulkar (India); Ricky Ponting (Australia, captain); Yunus Khan (Pakistan); Andrew Symonds (Australia); Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India, wicket keeper); Farveez Maharoof (Sri Lanka); Daniel Vettori (New Zealand); Brett Lee (Australia); Mitchell Johnson (Australia); Nathan Bracken (Australia); 12th man: Salman Butt (Pakistan).