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BCCI To Honour Binny, Dravid, Mithali With Lifetime Achievement Awards At Annual Gala; Gill, Mandhana Named Best Internationals

Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will honour excellence throughout Indian cricket at the Naman Awards 2026, taking place on Sunday in the national capital, with the former BCCI chief Roger Binny, ex-captain & coach Rahul Dravid and former women's captain Mithali Raj to be honoured with the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. The Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award honours a career marked by service, integrity, and lasting contributions to Indian cricket. A key highlight of the Naman Awards 2026 will be honouring all five Indian teams that have won ICC trophies, marking a historic milestone for Indian cricket. The BCCI will recognise the senior mens team for their victories in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, the senior womens team for winning the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup 2025, the mens Under-19 team for securing the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, and the womens Under-19 team for their win at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2025. At this years ceremony, Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid will be bestowed with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the BCCIs highest honour recognising outstanding service to Indian cricket, the BCCI said in a statement. Mithali Raj will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, recognising her extraordinary contribution to the growth and global stature of womens cricket in India, the statement read further. This annual event celebrates outstanding achievements and lasting contributions in international, domestic, and youth cricket, while recognising individuals who have significantly influenced the development and prestige of the sport in India. A prominent member of Indias legendary 1983 World Cup-winning team, Binnys impact on cricket has spanned decades as a player, mentor, and administrator. Famous for his skilful seam bowling and crucial breakthroughs, he was the top wicket-taker in the 1983 World Cup, playing a key role in a defining moment in Indian cricket history. As part of the Indian team that won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, Binny is also the first Indian cricketer to open both bowling and batting in a single ODI. After retiring from playing, Binny dedicated himself to Indian cricket with equal distinction. As coach of the Indian Under-19 team, he led them to win the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2000, helping young players begin their professional careers. He also served as a national selector from 2012 to 2016, significantly influencing the team's composition during a crucial period in the sport's development. Recently, Binny has maintained his long-standing involvement in Indian cricket through administrative roles. He was the 36th President of the BCCI from 2022 to 2025, leading the organization during a period of notable growth and increased global recognition for Indian cricket. During his tenure, the BCCI enhanced its focus on excellence throughout the cricketing ecosystem. His leadership demonstrates a lifelong commitment to the sport. Dravid will be recognised for his profound impact on Indian cricket, both as one of the most talented batters the sport has seen and as a coach who helped usher in a new era. His distinguished international career was characterised by a textbook batting style, unwavering resilience, solid defence, and overall mastery. He scored over 24,000 international runs, led Indias batting order across formats for more than ten years, and played a key role in many of the teams most memorable wins as both a batter and captain. After retiring from playing, Dravid smoothly moved into a position that contributed to shaping Indian cricket's future. As the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he significantly enhanced Indias player development systems, mentored emerging cricketers, and helped establish a strong talent pipeline for the national teams. His impact was particularly notable when he led Indias Under-19 team to win the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2018. His influence expanded when he became the head coach of the Indian mens team. He carried the same clarity of purpose and focus on discipline that marked his playing days. Under his leadership, India won the ICC Mens T20 World Cup in 2024, showcasing resilience, preparation, and dominance internationally. Mithali, one of womens cricket's most iconic figures, will be honoured with the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, acknowledging her remarkable role in promoting the womens game worldwide. Throughout a distinguished international career lasting over twenty years, Raj set new standards of excellence through her grace, reliability, and leadership. As the top scorer in womens ODIs with 7805 runs at an average of 50.68, she established benchmarks that changed the perception of womens cricket in India and motivated many young girls to pursue the sport. Her inspiring captaincy was equally important, leading India to two ICC Womens World Cup finals and establishing the team as a strong international contender. Through her outstanding accomplishments and enduring impact, Raj has been pivotal in elevating Indian womens cricket to new heights. The Naman Awards will also honour exceptional performances in international, domestic, and age-group cricket throughout the 202425 season. Indias Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will receive the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 202425 season for the second time. Ms Smriti Mandhana will receive the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for the fifth time in her career, the board stated. Among domestic performers, Ms Ira Jadhav of Mumbai will receive the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Domestic) following a prolific season with the bat. Ms Shafali Verma of Haryana will be honoured with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Senior Domestic One Day) for the 202425 season. Indias Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will receive the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 202425 season for the second time. Ms Smriti Mandhana will receive the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for the fifth time in her career, the board stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Mumbai Cricket Association will once again receive the award for Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments, having won four trophies and finished runner up in two during the season, the board added. Article Source: IANS