BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana Named Cricketers of the Year

India’s World Cup Champions Honoured at BCCI Naman Awards 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India celebrated the achievements of India’s World Cup-winning teams at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 held in New Delhi . The event honoured exceptional performances by Indian cricketers across international and domestic formats during the 2024–25 season.

Leading players Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were named BCCI Cricketers of the Year, recognising their outstanding performances in international cricket.

Recognition for India’s World Cup Champions

A key highlight of the ceremony was the felicitation of five Indian teams that secured major international titles in recent years. These included victories in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup , the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup , the ICC Champions Trophy , the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup , and the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup .

These achievements demonstrate the depth of talent in Indian cricket and highlight the effectiveness of the country’s grassroots and developmental systems in nurturing players across age groups and formats.

Gill and Mandhana Receive Top Honours

Shubman Gill received the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024–25 season. Known for his consistency and leadership in international cricket, Gill was recognised for his remarkable performances in Tests and One Day Internationals.

On the women’s side, Smriti Mandhana won the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Women). This marked the fifth time she received the honour. During the season, Mandhana also emerged as the highest run-scorer in Women’s ODIs , further strengthening her reputation as one of India’s leading batters.

Lifetime Honours for Cricket Legends

The ceremony also paid tribute to legendary figures in Indian cricket. The Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid for their immense contributions to the sport.

Additionally, former India captain Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women , recognising her extraordinary career and lasting impact on women’s cricket in India.

Recognition for Domestic Performers

Alongside international stars, several domestic cricketers were honoured for their achievements in India’s premier domestic competitions. Awards were given to outstanding performers in tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy , the Vijay Merchant Trophy , the Cooch Behar Trophy , and the Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy .

Young players such as Harshit Rana and N. Sree Charani were also recognised for their international debuts, reflecting the strong pipeline of emerging talent in Indian cricket.

Exam-Focused Points

• BCCI Naman Awards are presented annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India .

• Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana won the Polly Umrigar Award .