New Delhi, 14 March (H.S.): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will honor cricket luminaries at the prestigious Naman Awards-2026, recognizing both stalwarts and contemporary stars for their extraordinary contributions.

Former greats Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid will receive the BCCI's highest accolade, the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, while women's cricket icon Mithali Raj earns the Women's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Roger Binny's Stellar Legacy

A key member of India's triumphant 1983 World Cup squad, Binny claimed the most wickets with his swing bowling prowess. He also featured in the 1985 World Championship-winning side, later coaching India’s U-19 team to the 2000 ICC U-19 title, serving on the selection panel (2012-2016), and leading BCCI as president (2022-2025).

Renowned as one of India's finest batsmen with over 24,000 international runs, Dravid fortified the batting lineup for years. Post-retirement, he shaped young talent as National Cricket Academy head, guiding the U-19s to 2018 World Cup glory and the senior men’s team to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup as head coach.

Mithali amassed 7,805 ODI runs, the most by any woman, elevating Indian women's cricket over two decades. Under her captaincy, the team reached two ICC Women's World Cup finals, surging the game's popularity domestically.

Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill secures the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Male) for the second time, while Smriti Mandhana claims her fifth Best International Cricketer (Female) honor. Domestic standouts include Ira Jadhav (Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy), Shefali Verma, Ayush Mhatre, and Harsh Dubey.

Five champion Indian sides will be celebrated: Senior Men (ICC Champions Trophy 2025, T20 World Cup 2026), Senior Women (Women's World Cup 2025), Men's U-19 (2026), and Women's U-19 (2025).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar