New Delhi: The star of Punjab, Shubman Gill, dominated the spotlight at the BCCI’s annual ‘Naman Awards’ held in the national capital last night. Gill, the current Test and ODI captain of Team India, was honored with the prestigious ‘Polly Umrigar Award’ (Best International Cricketer) for the 2024-25 season.
Gill’s Golden Streak
The award recognizes Gill’s phenomenal consistency over the past year. In the 2024-25 season, Gill:
- Scored 983 runs in 9 Test matches at an average of over 70.
- Amassed a total of 1,764 runs across all formats, including 7 centuries.
Lifetime Achievement for Rahul Dravid
Another highlight was the celebration of legendary batsman and former coach Rahul Dravid. He was conferred with the ‘Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his unparalleled contribution to Indian cricket, including leading the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2024 as head coach.
Special Message to Punjab’s Youth
While receiving the award, an emotional Shubman Gill shared a powerful message for the youth of Punjab:
“The soil of Punjab is full of strength. I want to tell the youth of my state to shun drugs and step into the sporting arenas. If you work hard with true dedication, the world will be at your feet.”