Sachin Tendulkar to receive BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Sachin Tendulkar is set to receive the prestigious Colonel CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s annual awards ceremony on February 1. Jasprit Bumrah has been named the winner of the Polly Umrigar Award as the best international cricketer for 2023-24 in the men’s category, while Smriti Mandhana has been selected for the corresponding women’s award.

Tendulkar will become the 31st recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 1994 to honor India’s first captain, CK Nayudu. Tendulkar, who retired after an illustrious career spanning over two decades, made his debut as a 16-year-old in 1989 against Pakistan. His 200 Test and 463 ODI appearances remain the most by any player, as do his career runs: 15,921 in Tests and 18,426 in ODIs. He also featured in India’s first-ever T20I against South Africa in 2006.

Bumrah, who was also named ICC Cricketer of the Year earlier this month, was a standout performer during the assessment period. He played a crucial role in India’s victory in the T20 World Cup in June, taking 15 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 4.17 and earning Player of the Tournament honors. He was also key to India’s Test series win against England at home.

Mandhana, who was named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, was India’s top batter across formats. In addition to scoring 149 in the one-off Test against South Africa in Chennai, she recorded successive ODI scores of 117, 136, and 90 against the same opponents.

R. Ashwin, who retired in December 2024 as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, will be honored with a special award. Ashwin, who made his Test debut in 2011, played a vital role in India’s dominance in Test cricket, helping them win 18 consecutive series at home.

Sarfaraz Khan has been selected for the Best International Debut Award for his rapid 50 against England in the Rajkot Test in February 2024.

For the women’s Best International Debut Award, Asha Sobhana is recognized for her 4 for 21 against South Africa in the first ODI at Bengaluru in June 2024, helping India to a 143-run victory. Deepti Sharma will also be awarded for finishing as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs during the awards period.

Mumbai allrounder Tanush Kotian will be recognized for his exceptional performance in the BCCI Domestic Trophy. He scored 502 runs and took 29 wickets in ten games, playing a key role in Mumbai’s victory in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy.

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