New Delhi: India’s rising cricket star and current Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill, is set to be honored with the prestigious ‘Polly Umrigar Award’ (Best International Cricketer of the Year) for the 2024-25 season. The BCCI’s annual ‘Naman Awards’ 2026 ceremony will take place tomorrow, March 15, in New Delhi.
Gill’s Golden Year (2025)
The past year has been phenomenal for Shubman Gill, where he proved his mettle across all formats:
- Test Cricket: Gill amassed 983 runs in 9 Test matches at an outstanding average of 70.21. He notably created history by scoring 754 runs in the ‘Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’ against England.
- Total Runs: Across all formats, Gill scored a total of 1,764 runs, including 7 centuries and 3 half-centuries.
- Leadership: Taking over the ODI and Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma, Gill led India to several crucial victories.
Honor for Rahul Dravid
Former Indian legend and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid will be conferred with the ‘Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his unparalleled contribution to cricket. Under his coaching, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Other Highlights of the Event
- Celebrating 5 ICC Trophies: This year’s ceremony is special as the BCCI will honor five Indian teams (Senior Men, Women, and Under-19) that have won ICC trophies over the past year.
- Young Talent: 18-year-old Mumbai player Ayush Mhatre will receive the ‘Lala Amarnath Award’ for his exceptional performance in domestic cricket.