Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is the second highest wicket-taker (80) in this calendar year after Mitchell Starc (88).Reuters
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the Test and the ODI teams of the year on Wednesday. 

The players were chosen by a panel headed by ICC Cricket Committee chairman and Anil Kumble. The qualification window were open from 18 September, 2014 to 13 September, 2015.

Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, former England batsman Mark Butcher, former Australia women's captain Belinda Clark and G Viswanath, Deputy Editor of The Hindu & Sportstar, are the ones who suggested the names of the players who have been selected in the ICC Test and ODI team of the year.

The most striking aspect of the Test team is that Ravichandran Ashwin has been selected as the 12th man in the side. According to ICC's latest rankings, Ashwin is the 2nd best bowler in the world after Dale Steyn. He has also bagged 80 wickets in this year just behind Mitchell Starc who picked up 88 wickets until he was injured during the day and night Test match between Australia and New Zealand.

Only two players were named in both the Test and the ODI teams of the year. Trent Boult and Australia skipper Steve Smith made into both the sides after they have had an outstanding year with a number of match-winning performances.

Ab de Villiers was named as the captain of the ODI side and, on the other hand, England skipper Alastair Cook was elected as the captain of the Test team.

Mohammed Shami was the only Indian who has been named in the ODI squad of the year. Meanwhile, Bangladesh team sensation Mustafizur Rahman has been selected for the ODI side as well after his record-breaking bowling show against India and later against South Africa left the selectors with no choice but to go for him.

"I would like to congratulate all the players for their selection in the Test and ODI teams of the year. It is an achievement for each of them to be proud of and a recognition for their good performances in the qualifying period," Anil Kumble stated in a press release on Wednesday. 

"Team selection is one of the toughest jobs and when you have a large pool of outstanding players to select from in a 12-month period then it becomes even more difficult. It was a particularly busy year, with a series of stellar performances throughout the Test and ODI formats, not least in a hugely successful ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which has greatly enhanced the popularity and profile of the game internationally.

"Testament to the quality of cricket played is the calibre of players to have missed out on selection. While selecting these squads, the selectors considered various combinations and took into account several factors in overall performances. Congratulations to all of the players on their selections."

 Here are the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year: