7 players who have won more than two ICC awards

Since their inception in 2004, the ICC awards have been the most prestigious award ceremony in international cricket. With the voting period spanning almost a year, the awards are given to those players who perform remarkably well throughout the voting window. As of now, the judging period is sandwiched between Septembers of successive years.

The number of categories across which the awards are given away has undergone changes over the years and now stands at thirteen, with "ICC Fan's Moment" being the latest addition. While the ICC selection committee is in charge of selecting the final nominees for every category, the ultimate winner is decided only by the votes of a specially selected academy that includes former international cricketers, umpires, and referees among others.

The ICC Awards have, over the years, honoured some of the biggest names in international cricket. But not many players have had the distinction of being the recipients of ICC awards, let alone those who have won it twice or more. In fourteen editions of the awards so far, only seven players have managed to win the awards more than twice (excluding the People's Choice Awards).

If a competitive spirit gets a player through to an ICC award, it's only his sustained efforts that can win him the award more than once. While the players in the slideshow make the ICC awards look easy to bag, those not in it do so much as to suggest that receiving honours at the ICC Awards multiple times is more difficult than most things in cricket.

Without much ado, let's quickly gaze through these seven players who exemplified consistency and competitive spirit over their respective award-winning years.

#7 Mitchell Johnson

ICC Cricketer of the Year (2009) - During the voting period, Johnson made an impact in Tests like no other bowler did. He played 17 matches in that period and reigned supreme with 80 wickets to his name at an economy of mere 3.12. His contribution to the side was not limited to his bowling as he managed to score 632 runs with the bat, including a century and three half-centuries, for his team at an average of 30.1 during the voting period.

There was very stiff competition for him since the list of nominees also included MS Dhoni (ODI Player of the Year) and Gautam Gambhir (Test Player of the Year). It was perhaps his extra effort with the bat that saw him through.

Cricketer of the Year & Test Player of the Year (2014) - The voting period spanned a little over a year, from August 26, 2013, to September 17, 2014. During the period Johnson played eight Tests in which he managed to scalp 59 wickets at 15.23.

As far as his ODI performance was concerned, he took 21 wickets in the 16 matches that he played during that period. His winning the awards was an icing on Australia's whitewash of England in the Ashes. He managed to sail past AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews and Warner to bag the two awards

#6 Steve Smith

Steven Smith has won ICC Awards thrice in a relatively short span

Cricketer of the Year & Test Player of the Year (2015) - For the 2014 ICC Awards the period under consideration spanned a little less than a year from September 18, 2014, and September 13, 2015. During the period, Smith amassed runs in Test cricket at an unbelievable average of 82.6. He was the leading run-scorer with 1734 runs to his name, and ergo, an easy choice for the Test Player of the Year.

But what won him the Cricketer of the Year award was his tremendous run in ODIs in addition to his Test performances. In ODIs, he collected over 1200 runs at an average nearing 60. Now, that was tough to beat.

Test Player of the Year (2017) - Smith, now serving a one-year ban, has been phenomenal for his side in Tests for the past few years. The story was no different during the ICC's qualification period for the fourteenth edition. He continued his stellar run in Tests and scored over 1800 runs in just 16 matches at an average of 78. Such mind-boggling numbers were garnished with eight centuries. No other player deserved the award.

#5 Virat Kohli

Virat has won three ICC Awards.

ODI Player of the Year (2012) - Virat Kohli, only 23 then, hopped over some big names to win one of the most coveted awards in world cricket. During the concerned period of voting, Virat amassed 1733 runs at an average of 66.7. His stellar run during the period was clad with eight centuries and six half-centuries.

Cricketer of the Year & ODI Player of the Year (2017) - 2017 was a stellar year for the bearded batsman. He impressed one and all across formats. To give you an idea of his impact on the field, let me cite his numbers during the qualification period. In ODIs, he collected 1818 runs at a stunning average of 82 with the help of seven hundreds.

As far as T20Is are concerned he scored runs at a strike-rate of over 150. But it was perhaps his contribution in the most competitive form of cricket, the Tests, that won him the Cricketer of the Year award. He scored over 2000 Test runs at an average of 80 runs per innings. He is the only player to have won both these awards in a single edition.

#4 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers retired with three ICC Awards in his tally.

ODI Player of the Year (2010) - It will never be a wonder to hear the man winning an ODI award. During the qualification period, he made telling contributions for the South African ODI squad, which rode upon his exploits to register 10 wins in 16 matches. With the help of four centuries and four half-centuries de Villiers scored 855 runs at an average of 71. His strike-rate of over 100 was also noteworthy.

He saw off stiff competitions from Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Watson and Ryan Harris to get the award.

ODI Player of the Year (2014) - 2014 turned out to be de Villiers's one of the best years in limited-overs cricket as he scored 879 in just sixteen innings. He was at his most brutal that year scoring at over 110 runs per 100 balls. Though he was not able to convert most of his 50s into 100s his average for the year was around 73. Such brilliant numbers were recognized by the ICC as worthy of one of the most coveted awards in world cricket.

ODI Player of the Year (2015) - AB de Villiers, then South Africa's captain, was named as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for the second successive year in 2015. In the qualification period, de Villiers scored 1,265 runs in 20 innings at a stunning average of 79 and a strike-rate of 128.4. His exploits included two centuries and nine half-centuries.

#3 MS Dhoni

Apart from ODI Player of the Year Dhoni has also won the Spirit of Cricket award.

ODI Player of the Year (2008) - MS Dhoni's amazing run in 2008 was well recognized by the ICC, which bestowed upon him one of the most coveted awards in world cricket. During the voting period, he played 39 ODIs in which he amassed over 1200 runs at an average nearing 50. His strike-rate was 82.46. A captain needs to lead his side from the front. These numbers would never fail to suggest Dhoni's ability to lead with performances.

On top of his brilliant form with the bat, Dhoni was equally exceptional with his glovework as he claimed 62 dismissals that included 16 stumpings.

ODI Player of the Year (2009) - MS Dhoni continued his form in the year 2010 as well. During the voting period, he scored 967 runs in 24 ODIs at an average of 60.43. His strike-rate was 86.63 in the considered period. He saw off stiff competitions from Yuvraj and Sehwag to get the award. His case was helped by his captaincy that led the side to victory in 17 out of 24 matches they played, a win percentage nearing 75.

Spirit of Cricket (2011) - In the Nottingham Test against England back in 2011, Ian Bell hit the last ball before Tea for what he thought was a four. Even without ensuring that it had gone for four Bell headed towards the pavilion. But as it so happened the ball, still in play, was intercepted by a fielder, who threw it back to the middle.

The bails were dislodged and an appeal for a run-out was made. Going by the letters of the law, Ian Bell was adjudged out. But Dhoni, upon a request from the English side, withdrew the appeal and exemplified maturity. His gesture won him the cheers from the crowd and an ICC award.

#2 Ricky Ponting

With four ICC awards to his name, Ricky Ponting is tied with the next player in the slideshow in terms of the number of such awards.

Cricketer of the Year & Test Player of the Year (2006) - At the ICC Awards 2006 Ponting was named both the Cricketer of the Year as well as the Test Player of the Year for his outstanding year in Tests. During the voting period that spanned a year, Ponting gathered 1791 runs at an average of around 69 runs per innings. Ponting left behind Michael Hussey, Mohammed Yousuf, Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in the race to these prestigious awards.

Cricketer of the Year & Captain of the Year (2007) - While 2007 was not such a good year for Ponting in Tests, it was so in the ODIs, where he scored 1433 runs in 24 innings at an average of 84.3. His strike-rate during the qualification period was around 92. His most telling contributions came in the 2007 World Cup, where he ended up as the third highest run-getter of the tournament. Leading from the front Ponting scored 539 runs at an average of 67 runs per innings.

His brilliant run in the World Cup and the year at large was well complemented by the World Cup win. Emboldened under the captaincy of Ricky, Australia continued its reign in international cricket. His batting and captaincy efforts deservedly culminated in ICC naming him as the captain as well as the cricketer of the year.

#1 Kumar Sangakkara

Sangakkara has also won four ICC awards.

ODI Player of the Year (2011) - In the 2011 ICC Awards held at London, Sangakkara was named as the ODI Player of the Year. During the voting period, he featured in 25 ODIs for the Sri Lankan side and scored 1049 runs at an average of around 55. His efforts included a century and seven half-centuries. Moreover, as the captain of the Sri Lankan side, he led them to the final in 2011 World Cup.

Cricketer of the Year & Test Player of the Year (2012) - Sangakkara ran riot in the 2012 ICC Awards as he picked up two of the most prestigious awards in cricket. He was at his best in Tests as well as the ODIs during the voting period. In 14 Tests that he played during the period, he compiled 1444 runs at an average of 60, including five centuries and five half-centuries. As far as the ODIs are concerned, he featured in 37 of them and scored 1457 runs with three hundreds.

ODI Player of the Year (2013) - For the third time on run Sangakkara won an ICC award. Although he was prolific in both Tests and ODIs in the year 2013, Michael Clarke outscored him in Tests and therefore Sanga had to settle for the ODI Player of the Year award. In 23 innings that he played in 2013, he scored 1201 runs at an average of 63.2.

His highest score during the voting period was 169 that he scored against South Africa off just 137 deliveries. Laden with 2 centuries and 10 half-centuries it was easily one of the best years for him.