BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Shubman Gill and Harshit Rana Shine in Prestigious Cricket Honors
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted its esteemed Naman Awards 2026 ceremony in New Delhi on Sunday, March 15, 2026, spotlighting exceptional talent and achievements in Indian cricket. The event, which recognizes outstanding contributions across international, domestic, and age-group levels, saw star cricketer Shubman Gill and emerging all-rounder Harshit Rana take center stage with major accolades.
Shubman Gill Clinches Polly Umrigar Award for Second Time
Shubman Gill, the captain of India's ODI and Test teams, was honored with the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024-25 season. This marks the second occasion Gill has received this prestigious award, having previously won it for the 2022-24 season, underscoring his consistent dominance in international cricket.
Gill's performance in 2025 was particularly remarkable, especially in Test cricket. During India's tour of England, he led by example in the five-Test series, emerging as India's top run-scorer with 754 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 75.40. His tally included four centuries, with a highest score of 269. Notably, Gill was the highest run-getter globally in 2025, amassing 983 runs in nine matches at an average of 70.21.
In limited-overs cricket, Gill played a pivotal role in India's successful Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. He scored an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in the opening match and finished the tournament with 188 runs at an average of 47, ranking as India's third-highest run-scorer. His leadership and batting prowess have solidified his status as a key figure in Indian cricket.
Harshit Rana Wins Best International Debut Award
On the other hand, all-rounder Harshit Rana was awarded the Best International Debut (Men) honor. Rana, who made his Test debut in 2024, ODI debut in 2025, and T20I debut in 2026, has quickly made an impact with his versatile skills, particularly in white-ball formats.
In 14 ODIs so far, Rana has claimed 26 wickets at an average of 27.38 and has scored 124 runs in seven innings at an average of 24.80. In nine T20Is, he has taken nine wickets at an average of 33 and scored 57 runs in three innings, with a highest score of 35. While he has played only two Test matches, taking four wickets, his early performances hint at a promising future in international cricket.
Domestic Cricket Achievements Recognized
The BCCI Naman Awards also celebrated excellence in domestic cricket. The Mumbai Cricket Association received the Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments award for the 2024-25 season. Mumbai's achievements included winning the 2024-25 Irani Cup, Senior Women's T20 Trophy, 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the 2025 Women's U23 One Day Trophy.
Additionally, Mumbai's Ayush Mhatre was honored with the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs cricket for the 2024-25 season. Mhatre scored 458 runs in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy at an average of 65.42 and a strike rate of 135.50, while also taking seven wickets in seven matches.
Celebrating Cricket's Growth and Stature
The annual BCCI Naman Awards ceremony serves as a platform to acknowledge exceptional performances and enduring contributions that have shaped the growth and stature of cricket in India. By honoring individuals like Shubman Gill and Harshit Rana, along with domestic stars and associations, the event reinforces the spirit of excellence and dedication in the sport.
As Indian cricket continues to evolve, such recognitions inspire future generations and highlight the depth of talent across all levels of the game.
