Who became the first cricketer to win all three top ICC Awards in the same year?

Introduction / Context:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) annually recognises outstanding performances through various awards such as ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Test Player of the Year, and ICC ODI Player of the Year. Achieving one of these is a major honour; winning all three in the same year is a rare feat. This question tests knowledge of a landmark achievement in modern cricket history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on ICC Awards in a single year.
• The player must have won all three major ICC Awards in that period.
• Options are four international cricketers: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, M S Dhoni, and Shaun Marsh.
• Only one player fits this historic record.

Concept / Approach:
This is a sports current affairs question. Virat Kohli achieved the rare distinction of sweeping all three major ICC Awards in the same cycle, reflecting his dominance in both Test and ODI formats at that time. The approach is to recall this specific record and connect it to Kohli, while recognising that although players like Dhoni and Rohit Sharma have impressive careers, they did not achieve this particular triple in a single year.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the award types mentioned: ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Test Player of the Year, and ICC ODI Player of the Year. Step 2: Recall the news where Virat Kohli featured prominently for winning all three top honours in one awards cycle. Step 3: Examine the options and note that Virat Kohli is listed as Option B. Step 4: Confirm that while Rohit Sharma and M S Dhoni have received ICC awards, they did not sweep all three in the same year. Step 5: Select Virat Kohli as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A helpful verification is to think about the period when Kohli was at the peak of his career across formats, scoring heavily in both Tests and ODIs. ICC announcements at that time specifically highlighted that he became the first player to claim all three top awards together. No such reports exist for Rohit Sharma, M S Dhoni, or Shaun Marsh. This supports the choice of Virat Kohli beyond mere guesswork.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rohit Sharma: A prolific limited overs batsman with big records in ODIs and T20Is, but he has not swept all three major ICC Awards in a single year.
M S Dhoni: A legendary captain and wicketkeeper batsman, he has won ICC awards and trophies, yet he did not achieve the triple award sweep in one year.
Shaun Marsh: A talented Australian batsman, but he has not been associated with winning multiple top ICC Awards in the same cycle, so this option is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may choose players based on general fame or leadership roles, assuming that Dhoni or Rohit must hold this record. Another pitfall is confusing team trophies, such as World Cups, with individual ICC awards. To avoid these errors, focus on individual award announcements and remember that Virat Kohli stands out for winning all three top honours in one year.

Final Answer:
Virat Kohli