In a glittering ceremony hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former India captain and head coach Ravi Shastri received the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony, held in Mumbai, also honored former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shastri, a key figure in Indian cricket, expressed his gratitude for the honor and reflected on his four decades in the game, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the BCCI in shaping his cricketing journey.
The emotional moment for Ravi Shastri was evident as he addressed the gathering, saying, “It is a very touching moment for me because when I started my cricket at the age of 17 and I finished at 31 as a player, 30 in fact, BCCI was my guardian right through. They showed me the path to play the sport. You know when the bucks were not big in the game as Farokh (Engineer) had mentioned. But there was pride in playing for your country.”
Ravi Shastri’s cricketing career was illustrious, marked by significant achievements both as a player and later as a coach. He was part of India’s historic World Cup-winning squad in 1983 and was named Player of the Series during the World Series triumph in 1985. In his coaching role, Shastri played a crucial role in India’s back-to-back Test series victories in Australia, making them the first Asian side to achieve such a feat.
Reflecting on the growth of the BCCI, Shastri highlighted its transformation into a powerhouse in world cricket over the four decades of his association with the sport. He credited the BCCI for benefiting generations of players and acknowledged the diverse roles played by individuals, including administrators, players, broadcasters, and production staff, who have been part of his journey.
The ceremony also recognized outstanding performances from the 2019-20 season, with star batter Shubman Gill receiving the Polly Umrigar Best Men’s International Cricketer of the Year award for the 2022-23 season. Gill’s exceptional performances in white-ball formats, particularly in ODIs, contributed to his recognition.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was awarded the Best International Debut for the 2022-23 season, earning the accolade for his remarkable innings, including a score of 171 against the West Indies. Spinner Deepti Sharma received the International Women’s Cricketer of the Year award for the 2022-23 season, showcasing her impactful bowling and crucial contributions with the bat.
The awards ceremony covered various categories, including the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award, Polly Umrigar Award for Best Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Best International Cricketer (Men and Women), Best International Debut (Men and Women), Dilip Sardesai Award, Lala Amarnath Award, and more.
The BCCI, through these awards, recognized outstanding performances at both domestic and international levels, honoring the contributions of players across formats. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to Indian cricket and reflected the rich legacy of the sport in the country.