Virat Kohli, Smriti Mandhana adjudged as Wisden’s leading male and female cricketer for 2018

The 30-year old batsman was named as the leading cricketer in the world the third year in succession by the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. However, this was the first time that Mandhana was chosen for the award. Afghanistan leg-spinner and Sunrisers Hyderabad superstar, Rashid Khan, was named the as the leading T20 Cricketer for the second year in a row.

Kohli, who is currently having a tough outing in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, was also included in five Wisden Cricketers of the year, along with Tammy Beaumont, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Rory Burns. 

Kohli was also involved in India’s historic Test series win against Australia last December. He was in good form during the England series where he scored  593 runs in five Test series at an average of 59.3, despite India losing the series 4-1. Mandhana, who was also labelled as the 2018 ICC women’s cricketer of the Year, scored 669 and 662 runs in ODIs and T20Is during the course of 2018.