Prestigious Ceremony to Recognize India’s Top Cricketers
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to honour the nation’s finest cricketers at the annual Naman Awards on Saturday. Among the key awardees, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will receive a Special Award for his immense contributions to Indian cricket. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana have been recognized as the Best International Cricketers in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Ashwin’s Special Recognition
Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, will be celebrated for his illustrious career. The 38-year-old spinner bid farewell to the game following the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. He retires as India’s second-highest wicket-taker across formats, behind only Anil Kumble.
Bumrah and Mandhana Shine
Jasprit Bumrah, who recently received the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, will be honoured with the Polly Umrigar Award for Best Male International Cricketer. The ace fast bowler was instrumental in India’s success, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 32 wickets in five Tests.
Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana has been named the Best International Cricketer (Female). The left-handed batter had a stellar 2024 season, scoring 743 runs and was also named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
Rising Stars and Record-Breaking Performers Recognized
Young talents Sarfaraz Khan and Asha Shobhana will receive the Best International Debut awards in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Additionally, Deepti Sharma will be acknowledged for finishing as the highest wicket-taker during the 2023-24 season.
Sachin Tendulkar to Receive C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will be honoured with the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. Originally scheduled to take place in Mumbai before the fifth T20I between India and England at Wankhede Stadium, the award will see Tendulkar join an elite list of past recipients, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Ajit Wadekar.
Domestic Cricket Stars to Be Felicitated
Several top domestic performers will also be recognized at the awards:
- Tanush Kotian (Mumbai) – Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in Ranji Trophy 2023-24
- Shashank Singh – Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in Limited-Overs Cricket
- Akshay Totre (Indore) – Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket (2023-24)
- Mumbai Cricket Association – Best Performance in BCCI Tournaments (2023-24)
Mumbai dominated the domestic circuit, winning the Ranji Trophy, U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, U-14 West Zone Championship, Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Women’s U-19 One Day Trophy, and Men’s U-19 All India Tournament.
Additionally, the Madhavrao Scindia Award for highest run-scorers in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season will be given to:
- Ricky Bhui (Andhra Pradesh) – Elite Group’s Top Scorer
- Agni Chopra (Mizoram) – Top Scorer in the Plate Group
A Night of Celebrating Excellence
The BCCI Naman Awards 2024 promises to be a grand celebration of cricketing excellence, honouring both established legends and emerging stars. As Indian cricket continues to produce world-class talent, these awards serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work of players across formats and levels.
