Indian Cricket Celebrates a Golden Era: BCCI Naman Awards 2026
Delhi is set to host a glittering ceremony on March 15th, 2026, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honors its stars at the Naman Awards. This year’s event isn’t just about recognizing individual brilliance; it’s a celebration of a remarkably successful period for Indian cricket across all levels.
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Legends Honored
Three icons of Indian cricket – Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj – will receive the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. Binny, a 1983 World Cup winner and former BCCI President, is recognized for his contributions both on and off the field. Dravid, renowned as ‘The Wall’ for his unwavering Test batting, and Mithali Raj, a trailblazer in women’s cricket, are celebrated for their dedication and impact on the sport.
Double Delight for Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana
The Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer will be presented to Shubman Gill for the men’s category, marking his second time receiving the honor. Smriti Mandhana will continue her dominance, claiming the Best International Cricketer (women) award for an impressive fifth time in her career. Mandhana also secured the highest run-scorer award in ODIs (Women).
Rising Stars and Domestic Dominance
The awards extend beyond the international stage, recognizing exceptional performances in domestic cricket. Mumbai’s Ayush Mhatre will be awarded the Lala Amarnath Award for the Best Allrounder in Domestic Limited Overs Competitions. Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey will receive the Lala Amarnath Award for the Best Allrounder in the Ranji Trophy. Mumbai Cricket Association will be recognized for their outstanding performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments, having secured four trophies and two runner-up positions.
A Historic Year for Indian Cricket: All ICC Trophy-Winning Teams Felicitated
In a first for the BCCI, all five Indian teams that clinched ICC trophies will be honored. This includes the senior men’s team’s victories in the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup, the senior women’s team’s triumph in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, the men’s Under-19 team’s 2026 World Cup win, and the women’s Under-19 team’s 2025 World Cup victory. This unprecedented recognition underscores the depth of talent and success within Indian cricket.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent: Domestic Award Winners
Several young players will also be acknowledged for their contributions. Ira Jadhav will receive the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (domestic), while Shafali Verma will be honored with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (senior domestic one-day). Further awards recognize performances in youth cricket, including Kishan Sarkar (Tripura), Shanthanu Singh (Uttar Pradesh), Pritam Raj (Bihar), Hemchudeshan J (Tamil Nadu), Arkajit Roy (Tripura), Nitya J Pandya (Baroda), Ragavan Ramamoorthy (Pondicherry), Vicky Ostwal (Maharashtra), Dipjyoti Saikia (Assam), Macneil Noronha (Karnataka), R Jashwanth Shreeram (Pondicherry), Harsh Dubey (Vidarbha), J Suchith (Nagaland), Yash Rathod (Vidarbha), and Ulhas Gandhe (Vidarbha).
FAQ
Q: When and where will the Naman Awards 2026 be held?
A: The awards ceremony will be held on March 15th, 2026, in New Delhi.
Q: Who are the recipients of the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award?
A: Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, and Mithali Raj will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Q: Which players won the Polly Umrigar Award?
A: Shubman Gill (men) and Smriti Mandhana (women) are the recipients of the Polly Umrigar Award.
Q: What is unique about the Naman Awards 2026?
A: For the first time, all five Indian ICC trophy-winning teams will be felicitated at the ceremony.
Did you know? Smriti Mandhana is set to receive the Best International Cricketer (women) award for the fifth time in her career, solidifying her status as one of the greatest female cricketers of all time.
Explore more articles on Indian cricket and stay updated with the latest news and achievements here.
