India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has won this year’s LG People’s Choice Award to become only the fourth cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to win this coveted prize.
Other nominees for this year’s People’s Choice Award were England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards, Australia speedster Mitchell Johnson, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn.
“First of all, I’d like to thank each and every one who has voted for me in the LG People’s Choice Award,” Bhuvneshwar said. “This award means a lot to me as I didn’t get it only for my individual performance but because of the love and support of my fans.”
“Where I am today is because of my parents and coaches, and whatever they taught me in life as a person,” he added. “I’d also like to thank my team-mates because without their support this won’t have been possible. So, thank you so much.”
The award was introduced at the ICC Awards 2010 in Bengaluru, with fans voting for their favourite player either through the official website www.lgiccawards.com or via Twitter using the hashtag #LGICCAwards. Voting commenced on 8 October and closed at midnight UAE time on 30 October.
The short-list was nominated by an elite panel of cricket experts, which is headed by ICC Cricket Committee Chairman and former India captain Anil Kumble. Other members of the panel are Jonathan Agnew, Russel Arnold, Stephen Fleming and Betty Timmer.
The five players were selected by the panel using the criteria set out by LG and the ICC, which required that the nominees have displayed attributes regarded by LG as being in line with its corporate qualities, such as innovation, dynamism, strength in decision-making, performing well under pressure and executing a plan to distinction.
