The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will celebrate some of the most influential figures in Indian cricket at the upcoming BCCI Naman Awards on Sunday. Among the highlights of the ceremony will be the presentation of the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award to three legendary cricketers — Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj.
The honour is the highest recognition given by the BCCI for exceptional contribution and service to Indian cricket over the years.
Roger Binny’s Lasting Impact on Indian Cricket
Former India all-rounder Roger Binny played a crucial role in one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history — the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Binny was a key member of the victorious India national cricket team squad that stunned the cricketing world by lifting the trophy under Kapil Dev’s captaincy.
During that historic tournament, Binny emerged as the leading wicket-taker, delivering several match-winning spells that helped India secure the title. His performances were instrumental in shaping the future of cricket in the country.
Binny later continued contributing to Indian cricket off the field as well. He served as the coach of India’s Under-19 team that won the 2000 U19 World Cup and later held roles as a national selector and president of the BCCI. His long-standing association with Indian cricket makes him a fitting recipient of the lifetime achievement award.
Rahul Dravid: A Legendary Career and Coaching Success
Another recipient of the prestigious honour is Rahul Dravid, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history. Over the course of his remarkable international career, Dravid represented India in 509 matches across formats and scored more than 24,000 runs.
Known as “The Wall” for his resilience and technique, Dravid played numerous match-defining innings for India in Tests and ODIs. As captain, he led India to a historic Test series victory in England in 2007, one of the most memorable achievements for the team overseas.
After retiring from international cricket, Dravid transitioned into coaching and mentoring roles. He guided the India Under-19 and India A teams, playing a significant role in developing the country’s next generation of cricketers. His coaching journey reached its pinnacle when he served as head coach of the national team that lifted the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Dravid’s contribution as both a player and mentor has had a profound influence on Indian cricket, making his recognition at the Naman Awards especially meaningful.
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Mithali Raj’s Trailblazing Legacy in Women’s Cricket
Mithali Raj will also receive the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from BCCI for her extraordinary contribution to women’s cricket. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she represented India in 333 international matches across formats.
Mithali became the first woman cricketer in the world to score more than 10,000 international runs, setting a benchmark for consistency and excellence. Her leadership also played a vital role in raising the profile of women’s cricket in India.
Under her captaincy, the Indian women’s team reached two ICC World Cup finals, inspiring a new generation of female cricketers across the country. Her achievements have made her one of the most respected figures in global cricket.
Gill and Mandhana Headline Annual Awards
Apart from the lifetime honours, the BCCI Naman Awards will also recognise outstanding performances from the 2024–25 season. Rising star Shubman Gill has been named the Best International Cricketer in the men’s category, receiving the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award.
In the women’s category, Smriti Mandhana has been recognised as the Best International Cricketer of the year. Mandhana also earned the award for being the highest run-scorer in women’s One Day Internationals during the same period.
Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma received the award for the highest number of wickets in women’s ODIs during the 2024–25 season.
Recognising Emerging Talent and Domestic Excellence
The awards ceremony will also highlight emerging players and domestic cricket achievements. Young cricketers Harshit Rana and N Sree Charani were honoured for the Best International Debut in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
Domestic cricket also featured prominently in the awards list. Mumbai Cricket Association was recognised for the Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments for the 2024–25 season.
Among individual domestic performers, Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey won the Madhavrao Scindia Award as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy’s Elite Group, while teammate Yash Rathod received the award for being the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
Celebrating the Spirit of Indian Cricket
The BCCI Naman Awards serve as an important occasion to celebrate the achievements of players across generations — from legendary icons to emerging talents. By honouring figures like Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj, the ceremony acknowledges the individuals who have helped shape Indian cricket’s legacy.
At the same time, the BCCI recognitionS of young performers and domestic players highlights the depth of talent in Indian cricket and reinforces the strong pipeline that continues to produce future stars for the national team.