Gambhir, MSD in the shortlist

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and opener Gautam Gambhir were among the four players short-listed for the Cricketer of the Year award, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and England’s Ashes-winning captain are the other nominees for the top award that will be presented by the ICC in Johannesburg on October 1.

Gambhir, Strauss and Johnson have also been nominated for the Test Player of the Year alongside Sri Lankan middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera. Three Indians — Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh — and West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul will contest the award for the best One-day Player of the Year.

The nominations were finalised by a 25-member international panel comprising former players, media representatives, umpires and referees.