Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag both made it onto the shortlist for the International Cricket Council (ICC) player of the year award announced on Monday.
Also among the four contenders were South Africa shot-maker Hashim Amla and England off-spinner Graeme Swann, who was controversially omitted from the original long-list in what the selection panel insisted was a "genuine oversight".
In addition, Tendulkar, Sehwag and Amla are also shortlisted for the Test player of the year alongside South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn.
Tendulkar is also in contention for the ODI player of the year award as he is shortlisted in that category with the Australia duo of Shane Watson and Ryan Harris as well as South Africa's AB de Villiers.
Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd chaired a selection panel that included fellow ex-internationals Angus Fraser (England), Matthew Hayden (Australia), Ravi Shastri (India) and Zimbabwe's Duncan Fletcher, also a former England coach.
The awards ceremony takes place in Bengaluru, India on October 6.