The CEAT awards night in Mumbai gave an opportunity for cricket’s finest performers in the last year to be honoured.
India's middle-order batsmen Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina won the CEAT International Youngster of the Year and T20 Player of the Year awards respectively, for the 2010-11 season.
Left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir walked away with the Match-Winning Innings of the Year honour for his superb 97 in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka
Two other Indian batsmen, explosive opener Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman, were honoured with special awards for completing 10 years in international cricket and for their significant contribution to Indian cricket.
Asked how he could play an attacking game even in Tests, Sehwag gave credit to the time he grew up playing ten-over cricket back home.
"I was playing ten-over games when I started and there you have to make runs very quickly. That's why I try to score off every ball, but on merit. I also try to sing a song when I bat and my favourite song is Chala Jaata Hoon [by Kishore Kumar]," he said.
Meanwhile, former captain Sunil Gavasakar asked Laxman how the calm and composed Rahul Dravid reacted when Sehwag blazes away at the other end.
"He walks up and down, he's a little bit tense, but is also excited, but cool," said Laxman. "Sehwag is extremely talented and his mindset is always positive, whatever be the situation."
Kohli, after receiving the award, said, he was eager to grab the opportunity he has been provided with by the selectors and do well in Test cricket.
"Test cricket is one form of the game I want to do well in. I have got the opportunity to do well in Tests and I want to grab it," said Kohli.
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