Virat Kohli named ICC Men's Player of the Month (October)
What's the story
Indian Run Machine Virat Kohli has been voted as ICC Men's Player of the Month for October. The ace batter racked up 205 runs across four T20 Internationals, averaging a behemoth 205.00 and striking at 150.73. He pipped South Africa's David Miller and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza to claim the award. Meanwhile, Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar won the top prize in the women's category.
Context
Why does this story matter?
ICC has been awarding the trophy since the start of 2021. The voting panel for the honor features renowned journalists and former cricketers. Public voting also has a 10 % of stake in the outcome. The Player of the Month trophy is handed to the male and female cricketers who did exceedingly well in international cricket across formats in a particular month.
Performance
Kohli has been in red-hot form lately
Kohli, who was struggling for form a few months ago, is back among the runs. He started the month of October with an unbeaten 49 against South Africa in Guwahati. He followed it up with scores of 82*, 62*, and 12 last month in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. The 34-year-old is currently the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 246 runs.
Performance
Kohli has spitted fire in 2022 T20 WC
As stated, Kohli tops the scoring charts in the tournament, having compiled 246 runs at a mouth-dropping average (123.00). He started the month of November with an unbeaten 64(44) in a thriller against Bangladesh. He followed with a 25-ball 26 in India's final Super 12 clash against Zimbabwe. Kohli (1,091) has surpassed Mahela Jayawardene (1,016) to become the leading run-getter in T20 WCs.
Runs
1,000-plus international runs in a calender year
Kohli has also completed 1,000 runs in international cricket in a calendar year for the first time since 2019. He currently owns 1,126 runs across 31 matches. He averages 40.21. Kohli has struck 10 fifties, besides scoring his maiden T20I ton (122* vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup). He amassed 842 and 964 runs in 2020 and 2021, respectively, after scoring 2,455 runs in 2019.
Dar
ICC Women's POTM: Dar beats Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma
Dar raked in exceptional numbers in the Women's Asia Cup. She piled up 145 runs in six matches, averaging a jaw-dropping 72.50. Dar, who bowls off-spin, claimed eight wickets while averaging a meek 14.87. She was noted for her match-winning 56* against India Women, besides claiming 2/23. Pakistan, however, bowed out in the semis after a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka.