Dhoni in ICC Test, ODI teams; Kohli misses out on ODI spot

MUMBAI: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has found a place in both ICC Test team of the year as well as the ODI side of the year but surprisingly Virat Kohli,who has been a consistent run-getter in the 50-over format in the last one year, didn't figure in the ODI team, announced here today. ICC's Chief Executive David Richardson said while Kohli was extremely unlucky to have missed out on in the LG ICC ODI Team of the year, led by compatriot Dhoni, but he should be making it next year.

"Kohli is one of the players who should consider himself unlucky not to get selected, especially in the ODI team of the year. In these awards it's more a case of who gets left out rather than who gets in. There's tremendous competition for places," said Richardson after announcing the ICC's Test and ODI teams of 2013 at a media conference here. "It will be very surprising if Kohli does not make the team next year," he added.

In the period under consideration for selection, August 7, 2012 to August 25, 2013, the Delhi batsman, who is often referred to as the bold new face of Indian cricket, had amassed 689 runs, including two tons, at an average of 40.52. India's World Cup winning skipper Dhoni, who made the list for the sixth consecutive year, was expectedly named the captain. Also included in this squad was left handed India opener Shikhar Dhawan and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom have played stellar roles in their team having a golden run in ODI format, including the ICC Champions Trophy that India won last June in England. Dhoni has also been picked in the ICC Test Team of the year, along with teammates Cheteshwar Pujara and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as 12th man.

England captain Alastair Cook was named the captain of the Test side. The Ranchi-born wicketkeeper-batsman is also in the running for winning the ICC Cricketer of the year along with five other players who were short listed today. He is also in with a chance to win the ICC ODI Cricketer of the year with compatriots Dhawan and Jadeja. Ashwin and Pujara are in the running for the ICC Test Cricketer of the year with four others.