I'm proud to be named player of the tournament: Virat Kohli

The ICC World T20 2016 reached its conclusion yesterday after West Indies beat England by four wickets in the finals at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. While the West Indians celebrated their win with the ‘Champion Dance,’ Indians also had a great reason to cheer as India’s premier batsman Virat Kohli was awarded the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award.

Kohli was brilliant in the ICC World T20 were he piled on 273 runs at an average of 136.50 with an amazing strike-rate of 146.77 including three half centuries. This is the second successive time Kohli has won the award, after he was also named as the player of the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh.

Kohli wasn’t available at the venue to take award. Former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly collected the award on Kohli’s behalf.

Reacting to the announcement, Kohli said that he felt proud of this achievement despite being disappointed about India not making it to the final.

“Although I’m disappointed that we were not able to make it through to the final and win the ICC World Twenty20 title on home soil, I’m proud to be named player of the tournament.

“As a team, we have all loved the experience of playing in this event in front of big, passionate home crowds and I’m pleased the tournament in India has been successfully staged.,” Kohli was quoted as saying by the ICC press release.

“And I’d like to add my congratulations to the West Indies men’s and women’s squads for their successes,” he congratulated the team.

The highlight of Kohli’s three half-centuries was his unbeaten 82 not out in a successful run-chase against Australia, which is being considered as an epic T20 knock. He also scored an unbeaten 55 against Pakistan on a square turner while his 89 not out against West Indies came in a losing cause.

“And I’d like to add my congratulations to the West Indies men’s and women’s squads for their successes,” he congratulated the team.