The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the winners of the 'NAMAN' Awards 2026, recognizing excellence in Indian cricket. According to the board's official statement, the prestigious ceremony is set to take place on March 15, 2026, in New Delhi. The annual event serves as a platform to honor current players, veterans, coaches, and umpires for their significant contributions to the sport across domestic and international circuits. The 2026 edition highlights a blend of established stars and emerging talents who have shaped the narrative of Indian cricket over the past year.
Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana Named Best International Cricketers
As per the BCCI announcement, Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams, will be honored with the Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men). This marks the second consecutive time Gill has received this prestigious accolade, reflecting his consistent performance at the highest level, while in the women's category, Smriti Mandhana has been selected as the Best International Cricketer. This will be the fifth such honor in Mandhana's career, further establishing her status as a cornerstone of the Indian women's national team. Both players were instrumental in India's recent successes on the global stage.
Domestic Achievers Recognized with Dalmiya and Amarnath Trophies
The BCCI continues its tradition of rewarding domestic excellence with several key awards. Era Jadhav from Mumbai will receive the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for the Best Female Cricketer in domestic cricket. Haryana's Shafali Verma is set to be honored with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for her outstanding performance in senior domestic one-day cricket. In the all-rounder categories, Mumbai's Ayush Mhatre will be presented with the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-round performance in domestic limited-overs tournaments. On top of that, Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha has been named the recipient of the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy.
Mumbai Cricket Association Dominates Domestic Circuit
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has been adjudged the best-performing association in BCCI domestic tournaments for the season. According to officials, the MCA demonstrated exceptional dominance by clinching four trophies and finishing as runners-up in two other major tournaments. This consistent performance across age groups and formats has earned the association top honors once again. The award highlights the strong cricketing ecosystem and talent pipeline managed by the Mumbai association, which remains a powerhouse in the Indian domestic structure.
Historic Felicitation of Five ICC Trophy-Winning Teams
A significant highlight of the Naman Awards 2026 will be the simultaneous felicitation of five Indian teams that secured ICC titles. This marks a historic moment in Indian cricket, as multiple squads across different levels are being celebrated together for global dominance, while the teams to be honored include the Senior Men's team for winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The Senior Women's team will be recognized for their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 victory. On top of that, the Men's Under-19 team (ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 winners) and the Women's Under-19 team (ICC U-19 World Cup 2025 winners) will also receive special recognition for their achievements.