India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won this year's LG People's Choice Award.
According to The Times of India, Dhoni is the third cricket player to win the prize. Player Sachin Tendulkar, was the first-ever recipient in 2010, and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who won in 2011 and 2012.
"This is one of the awards that has given me tremendous satisfaction, since it comes from the key stakeholders of the game - the fans," Dhoni said on winning the People's Choice award. "Recognition from the people who support and encourage us day in and day out, only inspires me to put in that much more, and go the extra mile for them. I would like to thank all those people who have voted in my favor."
Other nominees included in this year's LG People's Choice Award were Australia's Michael Clarke, England's Alastair Cook, India's Virat Kohli, and South Africa's AB de Villiers.
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel Honorary Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), received the award from Howard Lee Director Home Entertainment, LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd on Dhoni's behalf. Dhoni, who was unable to attend himself, is currently in South Africa with his team mates.
The award, was introduced at the 2010 ICC Awards in Bengaluru. It was voted by 188,000 cricket fans around the world. Fans voted for their favorite player by either signing on to www.lgiccawards.com or using the hashtag #LGICCAwards on Twitter.
The international Cricket Council opened voting on Nov. 2 and closed it midnight Nov. 23.
ICC Cricket Committee Chairman and former India captain Anil Kumble headed the panel of cricket experts responsible for nominating players. Five players were nominated by the panel and are picked using specific criteria such as qualities in "innovation, dynamism, strength in decision-making, performing well under pressure and executing a plan to distinction."
"LG is proud to be associated with the game of cricket, a religion in India and passion for people around the world," said Soon Kwon, Managing Director, LG India. "The LG People's Choice Award aims to salute the spirit of cricket and honour the cricketer who has been a consistent performer as well as outshined others in all forms of the game. The winner, M.S. Dhoni, has been bestowed by cricket lovers across the globe, and that truly proves his popularity."
