The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted its annual Naman Awards ceremony on Saturday, honoring the best performers of the 2023-24 season. The event saw India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah clinch the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer in the men’s category. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was recognized with a special shield for his contributions to international cricket.
Bumrah’s Stellar Performance Earns Top Honors
Jasprit Bumrah, known for his precision, skill, and consistency, was also crowned the ICC Test and Overall Cricketer of the Year 2024. His exceptional performances played a pivotal role in India’s series victories against England and Bangladesh. The 31-year-old speedster was the standout performer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, bagging 32 wickets in five Test matches and being named the Player of the Series.
Ashwin Honored for His Legacy in Test Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, was felicitated for his immense contributions to Indian cricket. Since making his Test debut in November 2011, the 37-year-old off-spinner played a crucial role in India’s dominant home record, helping the team win 18 consecutive Test series. Ashwin ended his career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps, ranking eighth in the all-time global list.
Sarfaraz Khan Named Best International Debutant
Among emerging talents, Mumbai’s middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan was awarded the Best International Debut Award in the men’s category. He made an explosive start to his international career, scoring a blazing half-century against England in the Rajkot Test in February 2024. He further cemented his reputation with a sensational 150-run knock against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test.
With these accolades, BCCI Naman Awards once again celebrated the finest talents in Indian cricket, recognizing both emerging stars and seasoned veterans for their outstanding contributions to the game.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.