This award is because of the love and support of my fans, says Kumar. Becomes the third India player to win it after Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni
India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has won this year’s LG People’s Choice Award. He now becomes only the fourth cricketer to win this coveted prize after Sachin Tendulkar, who was the first-ever recipient in 2010, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who won it in 2011 and 2012, and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won it last year.
Other nominees for this year’s LG People’s Choice Award were England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews and South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn.
Reacting to the news, Kumar said: “First of all, I’d like to thank each and every one who has voted for me in the LG People’s Choice Award. 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. 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 LG 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, a former England international and now a respected broadcaster/journalist, ex-Sri Lanka opener Russel Arnold, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, and Betty Timmer, former Chair of the ICC Women’s Committee.
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.
Sanjay Chitkara, Head – Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics India, said: “LG is extremely proud to be associated with the International Cricket Council as a Global Partner. As a company we believe in associating and recognising innovation and dynamism in every field.
“With the LG People’s Choice Award we are not only encouraging budding cricketing talent but also providing a platform to cricket lovers to voice their love for their favorite players. We congratulate Bhuvneshwar Kumar on winning the LG People Choice Award 2014.”
