In a star-studded affair at New Delhi, the BCCI’s Naman Awards lit up the capital, honoring cricket’s past glories and present triumphs. The ceremony, a yearly highlight, spotlighted performers across eras, with five ICC trophy-winning teams stealing the show.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was quick to celebrate on social media. Describing it as a ‘historic achievement,’ he congratulated Rahul Dravid on his Colonel C.K. Naidu Lifetime Achievement Award. Tendulkar’s shoutouts extended to Roger Binny of the 1983 World Cup squad, Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, and Shubman Gill, capturing the event’s unifying spirit under one roof for past, present, and future stars.
Anil Kumble, another titan of the game, shared his excitement online. ‘Thrilled to see five ICC title winners together at BCCI Naman Awards,’ he wrote, specially congratulating Dravid and hailing Binny as his inaugural captain. Kumble’s warm wishes covered Mandhana, Gill, Raj, and every recipient.
Hosted in the presence of key BCCI officials and ICC chief Jay Shah, the night saw Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, and Mithali Raj receive lifetime accolades. Shubman Gill’s dominance in white-ball and red-ball cricket earned him the Polly Umrigar Award. Smriti Mandhana’s international prowess fetched her the women’s top honor.
Domestic sensations like Shefali Verma and Ayush Mhatre, fresh off U-19 World Cup glory, were applauded. Debutants N. Shri Charani and Harshit Rana shone bright, and Mumbai Cricket Association was feted for tournament excellence.
The Naman Awards transcended mere prizes, weaving a tapestry of India’s cricket narrative—from World Cup triumphs to budding prodigies—ensuring the sport’s flame burns eternally bright.