Sachin Tendulkar has won the ICC's prestigious cricketer of the year award

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Congratulation to our beloved master blaster Sachin Tendulkar for winning the ICC's prestigious cricketer of the year award for the first time, reflecting the Indian's continued assault on the record books.

The 37-year-old became the first man to score 200 in a one-day international, in February against South Africa, and has extended his record of Test runs and centuries to 13,973 and 48.

Sachin told after winning the awards

"It means a lot to me. I feel really proud," said Tendulkar, adding, "I am really excited as it is a reflection of what I have contributed to the side. And this is something that I strive for."

"I'm really excited to have won two awards, and this last season for the entire team has been really special," he said at the ceremony in the Indian city of Bangalore on Wednesday.

To win both of these awards tonight is special, and it's the game's way of appreciating someone's performance

"To win both of these awards tonight is special, and it's the game's way of appreciating someone's performance. It feels great to have two trophies in front of me and I am feeling very proud and happy."

"Gary has been instrumental in making our batters play a plenty of deliveries in the practice session. During net practice, he himself bowls thousands and thousands of balls," Tendulkar said after accepting the ICC Player of the Year Award at a glittering function here.

"Gary has been an important member of the Indian squad and along with the other support staff. I have enjoyed my game under him. He is really putting a lot of efforts," he added.

The master batsman said he is hopeful of India winning next year's World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is a trophy that Tendulkar has not been able to win in his more than two-decade career and he is desperate to guide the team to the title triumph this time.

"It is a big tournament. It is not only my dream but of the entire country. We are working really hard for it. We still have five months to go, we will focus on tournaments before the World Cup and would like to carry the good form to the World Cup."

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Tendulkar, declined to compare the first ICC award of his career and India's second highest civilian award saying, "I don't want to compare any award which I won."

However, he maintained that to be honoured with Padma Bhushan was "really special."