BCCI Naman Awards 2026: Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana Win Top Honors

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the recipients of the Naman Awards 2026, recognizing the exceptional performances and contributions of individuals to Indian cricket. According to the board, the prestigious annual award ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, in New Delhi. The event aims to honor active players, former cricketers, coaches, and umpires across various categories for their dedication and achievements during the previous cricketing seasons. The winners have been selected based on their statistical milestones and impact on the game at both domestic and international levels.

Polly Umrigar and Best International Women Cricketer Awards

According to the official announcement, Indian batter Shubman Gill will be conferred with the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men). This marks the second consecutive time that Gill has secured this top honor, reflecting his consistency across formats, while in the women’s category, Smriti Mandhana has been named the Best International Cricketer. This will be the fifth time Mandhana receives this accolade from the BCCI, highlighting her sustained excellence in the international arena. Both players have been instrumental in India's recent successes in bilateral series and global tournaments.

Lifetime Achievement Awards for Cricketing Legends

The 2026 Naman Awards will celebrate the legacy of three stalwarts of Indian cricket. The BCCI has announced that Roger Binny, the current BCCI President and former all-rounder, along with legendary batter and former captain Rahul Dravid, will be honored with the Col. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest honor bestowed by the BCCI for career-long contributions to the sport. In the women’s section, former captain Mithali Raj will receive the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women. The award recognizes her extraordinary role in popularizing women's cricket in India and her record-breaking career on the global stage.

Recognition for Domestic Excellence and All-rounders

To encourage talent within the domestic circuit, the BCCI has announced the Lala Amarnath Awards for the best all-rounders, while ayush Mhatre from Mumbai has been selected as the Best All-rounder in domestic limited-overs tournaments for his impactful performances. In the premier first-class competition, Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha will receive the Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-rounder in the Ranji Trophy. Dubey’s ability to contribute Notably with both bat and ball throughout the grueling Ranji season earned him this recognition from the national selection committee.

Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy and State Association Honors

The Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy, which recognizes excellence in women's domestic cricket, sees Mumbai’s Ira Jadhav being named the Best Female Cricketer in the domestic circuit. On top of that, Haryana’s Shafali Verma will be honored with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for being the Best Female Cricketer in senior domestic one-day tournaments. In terms of organizational excellence, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has once again been adjudged the Best Performing State Association in BCCI domestic tournaments. The MCA's various age-group and senior teams demonstrated clinical performances across the domestic calendar to secure this title.