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India Cricket Team Honoured at Naman Awards 2026 for Historic Achievements
15 Mar 2026, 4:30 pm
The India cricket team’s exceptional performances were honoured at the prestigious Naman Awards 2026 in New Delhi, celebrating achievements across international, domestic, and age-group cricket. The ceremony recognised not only the team’s recent ICC victories but also individual contributions that have shaped the trajectory and global stature of Indian cricket.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award to Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny. Dravid’s illustrious international career saw him amass over 24,000 runs across formats, anchoring India’s batting lineup with technical precision and unmatched resilience. Beyond his playing days, Dravid’s influence as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy and as coach of India’s Under-19 and senior men’s teams has nurtured emerging talent and guided the India cricket team to victories including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Roger Binny, a member of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, was celebrated for his remarkable seam bowling and decisive breakthroughs. His career extended into coaching and administration, including leading India’s Under-19 side to World Cup victory and serving as BCCI president from 2022 to 2025. Binny’s lifetime contribution exemplifies dedication to the India cricket team across generations.
Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, honouring her outstanding career in women’s cricket. Raj’s leadership and batting mastery saw India reach two Women’s World Cup finals, and her record as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs set benchmarks that inspired countless young cricketers. Her influence has been pivotal in elevating the India women’s cricket team to global prominence.
The Naman Awards also recognised current individual performances. Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, received the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024–25 season for the second time, reflecting his consistency and leadership. Smriti Mandhana was awarded Best International Cricketer (Women) for the fifth time, cementing her status as a cornerstone of India’s women’s cricket team.
Domestic cricket achievements were highlighted with Ira Jadhav (Mumbai) and Shafali Verma (Haryana) honoured with Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophies for their outstanding contributions in domestic competitions. Ayush Mhatre of Mumbai and Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha received the Lala Amarnath Awards for best all-round performances in limited-overs and Ranji Trophy competitions respectively, showcasing the depth of talent nurturing the India cricket team pipeline.
A defining feature of the 2026 awards was the unprecedented recognition of all five ICC trophy-winning Indian teams. This included the senior men’s squad that lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the senior women’s squad victorious in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, and both the men’s and women’s Under-19 World Cup-winning teams of 2025 and 2026. The inclusion of all squads highlighted the India cricket team’s dominant position across age groups and formats, celebrating a golden era for Indian cricket.
By acknowledging both seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the Naman Awards underscore the India cricket team’s culture of excellence, mentorship, and sustained performance. Honouring figures such as Dravid, Binny, and Raj alongside award-winning domestic and international players reinforces the importance of holistic development, ensuring India’s cricketing infrastructure continues to produce world-class athletes.
The ceremony also served as a reminder of India’s growing prominence on the global stage, with achievements across men’s, women’s, and age-group cricket illustrating a strong foundation for future successes. The Naman Awards reflect not only past victories but also the strategic planning and commitment that will sustain the India cricket team’s dominance in international cricket for years to come.
The 2026 Naman Awards celebrated both history and vision, blending recognition for lifetime contributions with accolades for contemporary excellence. The India cricket team’s multi-format success, the emergence of new stars, and the mentorship of legends like Dravid and Binny ensure that India remains a formidable force in world cricket. As the country looks toward upcoming tournaments, these awards serve as inspiration for players, administrators, and fans, reinforcing India’s stature at the pinnacle of the sport.
Lifetime Achievements: Dravid, Binny, and Raj
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award to Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny. Dravid’s illustrious international career saw him amass over 24,000 runs across formats, anchoring India’s batting lineup with technical precision and unmatched resilience. Beyond his playing days, Dravid’s influence as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy and as coach of India’s Under-19 and senior men’s teams has nurtured emerging talent and guided the India cricket team to victories including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Roger Binny, a member of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, was celebrated for his remarkable seam bowling and decisive breakthroughs. His career extended into coaching and administration, including leading India’s Under-19 side to World Cup victory and serving as BCCI president from 2022 to 2025. Binny’s lifetime contribution exemplifies dedication to the India cricket team across generations.
Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, honouring her outstanding career in women’s cricket. Raj’s leadership and batting mastery saw India reach two Women’s World Cup finals, and her record as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs set benchmarks that inspired countless young cricketers. Her influence has been pivotal in elevating the India women’s cricket team to global prominence.
Celebrating Individual Excellence
The Naman Awards also recognised current individual performances. Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, received the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024–25 season for the second time, reflecting his consistency and leadership. Smriti Mandhana was awarded Best International Cricketer (Women) for the fifth time, cementing her status as a cornerstone of India’s women’s cricket team.
Domestic cricket achievements were highlighted with Ira Jadhav (Mumbai) and Shafali Verma (Haryana) honoured with Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophies for their outstanding contributions in domestic competitions. Ayush Mhatre of Mumbai and Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha received the Lala Amarnath Awards for best all-round performances in limited-overs and Ranji Trophy competitions respectively, showcasing the depth of talent nurturing the India cricket team pipeline.
Historic Team Recognitions
A defining feature of the 2026 awards was the unprecedented recognition of all five ICC trophy-winning Indian teams. This included the senior men’s squad that lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the senior women’s squad victorious in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, and both the men’s and women’s Under-19 World Cup-winning teams of 2025 and 2026. The inclusion of all squads highlighted the India cricket team’s dominant position across age groups and formats, celebrating a golden era for Indian cricket.
Impact on Indian Cricket’s Future
By acknowledging both seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the Naman Awards underscore the India cricket team’s culture of excellence, mentorship, and sustained performance. Honouring figures such as Dravid, Binny, and Raj alongside award-winning domestic and international players reinforces the importance of holistic development, ensuring India’s cricketing infrastructure continues to produce world-class athletes.
The ceremony also served as a reminder of India’s growing prominence on the global stage, with achievements across men’s, women’s, and age-group cricket illustrating a strong foundation for future successes. The Naman Awards reflect not only past victories but also the strategic planning and commitment that will sustain the India cricket team’s dominance in international cricket for years to come.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Naman Awards celebrated both history and vision, blending recognition for lifetime contributions with accolades for contemporary excellence. The India cricket team’s multi-format success, the emergence of new stars, and the mentorship of legends like Dravid and Binny ensure that India remains a formidable force in world cricket. As the country looks toward upcoming tournaments, these awards serve as inspiration for players, administrators, and fans, reinforcing India’s stature at the pinnacle of the sport.