BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Delhi to Host Ceremony on March 15

The BCCI will host the Naman Awards 2026 in Delhi on March 15 to honor top performers in domestic and international cricket. Key highlights include honoring five ICC trophy-winning captains and presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, and Mithali Raj. Shubman Gill is named Best International Cricketer.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the date and venue for the 'Naman Awards 2026'. The prestigious annual ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, in the national capital, Delhi. This event aims to recognize and reward the exceptional performances of male and female cricketers in both domestic and international circuits during the 2024-25 season. According to BCCI officials, the ceremony will be a grand celebration of Indian cricket's recent global dominance, bringing together legendary former players, current stars, and prominent sports administrators under one roof.

Honoring Five ICC Trophy-Winning Captains

A significant highlight of the Naman Awards 2026 will be the special recognition of five Indian captains who led their respective teams to ICC titles over the past year. This includes the captains of the squads that secured the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026. On top of that, the captain of the Indian Women’s team that won the ODI World Cup, along with the captains of the Under-19 Men’s and Women’s ODI World Cup-winning sides, will be honored on stage. As per the board, this collective achievement marks a golden era for Indian cricket across all age groups and formats, deserving a dedicated tribute during the ceremony.

Lifetime Achievement and Special Honors

The CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor presented by the BCCI, will be conferred upon three stalwarts of the game this year. Former Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid will be honored for his immense contribution to the sport as both a player and a mentor. Joining him is Roger Binny, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team and former BCCI President, who will also receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. In the women's category, former captain Mithali Raj will be recognized for her pioneering role and record-breaking career in international cricket. These awards celebrate individuals who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of Indian cricket.

Top International Performers of 2024-25

The Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024-25 season will be presented to Shubman Gill, the current Test and ODI captain of the Indian team. Gill has been recognized for his consistent run-scoring across all three formats. In the women's category, Smriti Mandhana has been named the Best International Cricketer and will also receive the award for the highest run-getter in Women’s ODIs. Deepti Sharma will be honored as the leading wicket-taker in the same format. Also, Harshit Rana and Shri Charani will receive the Best International Debut awards for Men and Women, respectively, for their impactful entries into the international arena.

Domestic Cricket and Age-Group Excellence

The BCCI will also reward excellence in the domestic circuit, with the Mumbai Cricket Association being named the Best Performing Association. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha (Elite Group) and Suchit J of Nagaland (Plate Group) will receive the Madhavrao Scindia Award for the highest wicket-takers. Yash Rathod of Vidarbha and Snehal Kauthankar of Goa will be recognized as the highest run-getters in their respective groups. The Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-rounder will be presented to Ayush Mhatre (Limited Overs) and Harsh Dubey (Ranji Trophy). In the junior categories, the Jagmohan Dalmia Trophy will be awarded to Ira Jadhav and Shafali Verma for their domestic performances.

Event Logistics and Broadcasting Details

The BCCI Naman Awards 2026 ceremony is expected to commence in the evening on March 15. According to official broadcasting arrangements, the event will be telecast live on the Sports18 channel. For digital viewers, the live stream will be available on the JioCinema app and website. The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket award for the 2023-24 season to Ulhas Gandhe. The event in Delhi is anticipated to be a high-profile gathering, reflecting the board's commitment to celebrating the achievements of cricketers at every level of the game.