Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at a gala function held on September 10, was hailed as the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2008 one-day international player of the year. The ICC programme also saw compatriot Yuvraj Singh being presented award for inaugural winner of the Twenty20 international performance of the year. It was a momentous event for MS Dhoni as he beat powerful contenders for the award like Sachin Tendulkar, Australia quick Nathan Bracken and Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

'I am really happy to get this - it's a great privilege. Also, it feels great to know that I am the first Indian player to get this particular award and it's very special,' said a jubilant looking Dhoni. Yuvraj Singh was chosen in recognition for the six consecutive sixes he scored on an over from England fast bowler Stuart Broad during the ICC World Twenty20 previous year. For a Twenty20 event, it was for the first time that a cricketer had hit six sixes in a single over.