The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will celebrate excellence in Indian cricket at the prestigious Naman Awards 2026, where legendary cricketers Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj will receive Lifetime Achievement honours. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on March 15, recognising outstanding contributions and performances in Indian cricket.
The annual event honours players across international, domestic and junior levels while also acknowledging individuals who have made a lasting impact on the sport in India.
Lifetime honours for cricket legends
The biggest highlight of the ceremony will be the presentation of the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by the BCCI for exceptional service to Indian cricket.
Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid will receive this prestigious award for their immense contributions to Indian cricket as players and mentors. Meanwhile, Mithali Raj will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her historic role in developing women’s cricket in the country.
The recognition highlights the legacy of three figures who have played key roles in shaping modern Indian cricket.
Roger Binny’s contribution to Indian cricket
Roger Binny is remembered as one of the key players in India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. He finished as the highest wicket-taker in that tournament and later served Indian cricket in various roles including coach, selector and administrator.
He also served as the president of the BCCI and contributed significantly to cricket administration in the country. His recognition at the Naman Awards celebrates both his playing career and his work off the field.
Rahul Dravid’s legacy as player and coach
Rahul Dravid, widely known as “The Wall” of Indian cricket, enjoyed a remarkable international career. He scored more than 24,000 international runs and played over 500 matches for India across formats.
After retirement, Dravid continued to serve Indian cricket as a mentor and coach. Under his leadership as head coach, the Indian team achieved significant success in major international tournaments and developed several young players.
His lifetime achievement award recognises his contributions both as a legendary batsman and as a guiding force behind India’s new generation of cricketers.
Mithali Raj honoured for women’s cricket
Former India women’s captain Mithali Raj is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s cricket. She played international cricket for more than two decades and became the highest run-scorer in women’s One Day Internationals.
Her leadership and consistent performances helped bring global recognition to Indian women’s cricket. The BCCI’s lifetime honour acknowledges her role in inspiring a new generation of female cricketers in India.
Gill and Mandhana named best internationals
Alongside the lifetime honours, current stars will also be recognised for their performances in international cricket.
Shubman Gill will receive the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) after scoring more than 1,500 runs in 25 matches during the evaluation period.
Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana has been named Best International Cricketer (Women) following a remarkable season in which she scored about 1,800 runs in 36 matches.
Both players have been instrumental in India’s recent success in international cricket.
Celebration of Indian cricket’s global success
The Naman Awards 2026 will also celebrate a historic phase for Indian cricket by honouring multiple national teams that recently won ICC trophies. These include victories in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, and Under-19 World Cups.
This recognition reflects India’s growing dominance across men’s, women’s and youth cricket on the global stage.
Prestigious event in Indian cricket calendar
The BCCI Naman Awards are among the most prestigious annual events in Indian cricket. The ceremony not only celebrates the best performers of the year but also honours legends who have shaped the sport over decades.
With the recognition of iconic figures like Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj alongside rising stars such as Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana, the 2026 edition of the awards highlights both the rich legacy and bright future of Indian cricket.