BCCI Honours World Cup Champions at Naman Awards 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated the achievements of India’s World Cup-winning teams at the Naman Awards 2026 held in New Delhi. The ceremony recognised the success of Indian teams across multiple formats and age groups in recent international tournaments. Leading cricketers Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were named BCCI Cricketers of the Year, highlighting their outstanding performances during the 2024-25 season. The event also honoured several legends of Indian cricket for their long-standing contributions to the sport.

Recognition for India’s World Cup-winning teams

During the ceremony, the BCCI felicitated five Indian teams that recently secured World Cup titles across different categories. These include the Under-19 Women’s World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, the Under-19 Men’s World Cup, the Women’s ODI World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The achievements reflect the depth of talent within Indian cricket and the strength of the country’s developmental system across both men’s and women’s formats.

Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana named top cricketers

Shubman Gill received the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024-25 season. Gill, who captains India in Test and ODI formats, was recognised for his consistent performances and leadership. Smriti Mandhana won the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Women), marking the fifth time she has received the honour. Mandhana also finished as the highest run-getter in Women’s One Day Internationals during the season.

Lifetime honours for Indian cricket legends

The ceremony also recognised legendary figures of Indian cricket with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour presented by the BCCI. The award was conferred on Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid for their immense contributions to Indian cricket as players and administrators. In addition, former India captain Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her outstanding international career and impact on women’s cricket in India.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Naman Awards are annual honours presented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• The Polly Umrigar Award is given for Best International Cricketer of the Year.
• The Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour of the BCCI.
• India recently won multiple ICC titles including the U-19 and T20 World Cups.

Domestic cricket performers also recognised

Several domestic cricketers were honoured for their performances in Indian domestic tournaments during the 2024-25 season. Awards were presented for top run-scorers, leading wicket-takers and outstanding all-round performances across competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Merchant Trophy, Cooch Behar Trophy and Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy. The ceremony also recognised promising newcomers, including Harshit Rana and N. Sree Charani for their international debuts, highlighting the strong pipeline of emerging talent in Indian cricket.