Rahul Dravid Expresses Gratitude for BCCI Lifetime Achievement Honour
Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has been honoured with the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026, held in New Delhi on Sunday. Dravid, alongside former BCCI president Roger Binny, received this top accolade, while Mithali Raj was awarded the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women.
A Prestigious Recognition in Indian Cricket
The BCCI Naman Awards annual ceremony celebrates exceptional performances and enduring contributions across international, domestic, and age-group cricket. It honours individuals who have significantly shaped the growth and stature of the game in India. The Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour bestowed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to former Indian cricketers for their supreme contributions to the sport.
In his acceptance speech, Dravid expressed profound gratitude, noting that the award holds special significance as it has been previously received by some of the greatest legends of Indian cricket. "I am very grateful to receive this award. Following the earlier recipients, who are some of the greatest legends of the game in our country, it's truly humbling. These are people I have looked up to, admired, and who have been great inspirations to me as a player and as a coach," Dravid said.
Reflecting on a Storied Career
Dravid added that the recognition was deeply humbling and reflected his long journey in cricket, which began during his early years in age-group cricket. "It's a great privilege, and I am very grateful for this honour. I am very appreciative of the fact that I've been involved in Indian cricket for such a long time, from playing under-15 cricket as a young boy to today," he remarked.
He emphasised the importance of continuity in Indian cricket, stating that he always viewed his role as carrying forward the legacy created by earlier generations. "I've always just seen my role as carrying a torch. I carried a torch from an earlier generation, whether I was a player or a coach. I have just built on the good work that other people have done, contributing my best when I had the opportunity," Dravid explained.
Praising the Next Generation
Dravid also praised the current generation of Indian cricketers and administrators for continuing to build on that legacy and taking the game to greater heights. "I'm very proud and grateful to see the way the next generation carries that on. The successes we have had are a great credit to the current management, the current team, and everyone involved with Indian cricket. We all have our time in the game, and it's amazing to see generations ahead taking it to another level," he said.
Dravid's Enduring Impact on Indian Cricket
Rahul Dravid was honoured for his outstanding contributions as both a legendary batter and an influential coach. During his international career, he scored over 24,000 runs and anchored India's batting line-up for more than a decade, playing a key role in many historic victories as a player and captain.
After retirement, Dravid helped shape the future of Indian cricket through his work at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he strengthened player development and guided India's U-19 team to the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup title. As head coach of the Indian men's team, he later led India to victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, further cementing his lasting impact on the sport.
The BCCI Naman Awards 2026 ceremony highlighted the enduring contributions of these cricket legends, reinforcing the values of dedication and legacy in Indian cricket.
