BCCI to Honour Cricket Icons with Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards at Naman Awards 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to celebrate the pinnacle of cricketing excellence at the highly anticipated Naman Awards 2026. This grand ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, 15 March 2026, in New Delhi, will recognise outstanding performances and enduring contributions across all facets of Indian cricket, from international and domestic circuits to age-group levels. The event aims to honour individuals whose dedicated work has profoundly shaped the growth and global stature of the sport in the country.
Lifetime Achievement Honours for Cricket Legends
In a significant highlight of this year's ceremony, two of India's most revered cricket figures, Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid, will be bestowed with the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. This award represents the BCCI's highest honour, acknowledging exceptional and long-standing service to Indian cricket. Additionally, Mithali Raj, a trailblazer in women's cricket, will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, recognising her extraordinary role in elevating the profile and success of women's cricket in India.
Roger Binny: A Legacy of Service and Excellence
Roger Binny, a distinguished member of India's historic 1983 World Cup-winning team, has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket through his multifaceted contributions. As a player, Binny was renowned for his skilful seam bowling and ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs, culminating in him finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the 1983 World Cup. His pivotal role in that iconic victory, along with his participation in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket triumph, cemented his status as a cricket legend. Notably, Binny holds the unique distinction of being the first Indian cricketer to open both the bowling and batting in the same ODI.
Following his illustrious playing career, Binny continued to serve Indian cricket with unwavering dedication. As coach of the Indian Under-19 team, he guided the side to victory in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2000, nurturing young talents at the onset of their professional journeys. His tenure as a national selector from 2012 to 2016 was instrumental in shaping the composition of the Indian team during a transformative period. More recently, Binny served as the 36th President of the BCCI from 2022 to 2025, steering the organisation through a phase of significant growth and enhanced global prominence. His leadership underscored a lifelong commitment to the sport, making the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award a fitting tribute to his career of service, integrity, and enduring impact.
Rahul Dravid: Architect of Modern Indian Cricket
Rahul Dravid will be honoured for his immense contributions as one of the finest batters in cricket history and as a transformative coach and mentor. His international career, spanning over a decade, was characterised by impeccable batting technique, steely resilience, and rock-solid defence, amassing over 24,000 international runs and playing a central role in numerous memorable victories as both a batter and captain.
Post-retirement, Dravid seamlessly transitioned into roles that have shaped the future of Indian cricket. As Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he played a pivotal role in strengthening player development pathways, mentoring emerging cricketers, and building a robust talent pipeline for national teams. His influence was notably evident when he led India's Under-19 team to victory at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2018. As Head Coach of the Indian men's team, Dravid instilled discipline and clarity of purpose, culminating in Team India lifting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2024. His leadership has been instrumental in defining the present and future trajectory of Indian cricket.
Mithali Raj: Pioneer of Women's Cricket
Mithali Raj, one of the greatest icons of women's cricket, will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the sport. Over a remarkable international career spanning more than two decades, Raj redefined excellence with her elegance, consistency, and inspirational leadership. As the highest run-scorer in women's ODIs, with 7,805 runs at an average of 50.68, she set benchmarks that transformed the perception of women's cricket in India and inspired countless young girls to pursue the sport.
Her captaincy was equally impactful, guiding India to two ICC Women's World Cup finals and establishing the team as a formidable force on the international stage. Through her achievements and lasting influence, Raj has played a defining role in elevating Indian women's cricket to unprecedented heights, making this award a well-deserved honour for her legacy.
Other Key Awards and Recognitions
The Naman Awards 2026 will also celebrate outstanding performances from the 2024-25 season across various categories:
- Shubman Gill will receive the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the second time.
- Smriti Mandhana will be honoured with the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for the fifth time in her career.
- Ira Jadhav of Mumbai will receive the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Domestic).
- Shafali Verma of Haryana will be awarded the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Senior Domestic One Day).
- Ayush Mhatre of Mumbai will receive the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited Overs Competitions.
- Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha will be honoured with the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in the Ranji Trophy.
- The Mumbai Cricket Association will receive the award for Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments, having won four trophies and finished runner-up in two during the season.
Historic Felicitation of ICC Trophy-Winning Teams
A defining highlight of the Naman Awards 2026 will be the historic felicitation of all five ICC trophy-winning Indian teams, marking a first in Indian cricket history. The BCCI will honour:
- The senior men's team that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
- The senior women's team that won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.
- The men's Under-19 team that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026.
- The women's Under-19 team that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2025.
This special recognition celebrates an extraordinary period of global success for Indian cricket, underscoring the nation's dominance across formats and age groups.
The Naman Awards continue to serve as a platform to honour Indian cricket's rich legacy while acknowledging the performances and contributions that are shaping its vibrant future. This year's event promises to be a memorable celebration of excellence, dedication, and the enduring spirit of the sport.
