In a star-studded gala organized by the Mumbai Cricket Association, Shardul Thakur was crowned the best senior cricketer for 2024/25, while Siddhesh Lad took the honors for 2025/26 under the Justice Tendulkar Trophy. The Wednesday event in Mumbai paid tribute to a season of unparalleled success across domestic and international arenas.
Highlights included accolades for World Cup winners: Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube (T20), Jemimah Rodrigues and others from the Women’s World Cup, Sanika Chalke (U-19 Women’s), and Ayush Mhatre with Abhijnan Kundu (U-19 Men’s). These triumphs reflect Mumbai’s pivotal contributions to India’s global victories.
Junior categories buzzed with promise, awarding talents like Ira Jadhav, Shen Raza, and Kartik Kumar. Fast bowlers Vedant Bane and Sarthak Bhide shared spotlight in U-19, while senior performers like Shams Mulani earned for Ranji wickets and quickfire centuries. Women’s cricket shone with Vrushali Bhagat and Sayali Satghare.
Sharad Pawar Scholarships empowered 12 young guns, from Naman Pushpak to Mudra Khedekar. Ground facilities improvers like Deepesh Nirupan and top tournament hosts were recognized. Lifetime honors saluted Shrikant Tigdi and Ravindra Sawant for administrative prowess, alongside cricketing icons.
MCA’s champion squads in Syed Mushtaq Ali, U-23 Women’s ODIs, and U-15 Girls’ events rounded out the celebrations. With a BCCI Best Association hat-trick, Mumbai reaffirms its stature, inspiring the next wave of cricketing excellence.
