The much-awaited BCCI Naman Awards 2026 were announced in a grand ceremony held in New Delhi on March 15, where India’s top cricketing talents were recognised for their outstanding performances over the past year. The prestigious event, organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), celebrated excellence across international, domestic, and junior cricket categories.
This year, the spotlight was firmly on Smriti Mandhana, who was named the Best Women’s International Cricketer of the Year, and Shubman Gill, who received the coveted Polly Umrigar Award for Best Men’s International Cricketer.
Smriti Mandhana Wins Big Again
India’s vice-captain of the women’s team, Smriti Mandhana, once again proved her dominance in international cricket by winning the Best Women’s International Cricketer award at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026. This marks the fifth time she has received this honour, underlining her consistency and impact on the global stage.
Mandhana was presented the award by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia. Along with the trophy, she received a cash prize of ₹15 lakh. Her performances throughout the year, particularly in limited-overs formats, played a crucial role in India’s success.
Shubman Gill Receives Polly Umrigar Award
Indian men’s team captain in Tests and ODIs, Shubman Gill, was honoured with the Polly Umrigar Award for Best Men’s International Cricketer. The award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in Indian cricket and is given annually to the top-performing male cricketer.
Gill received the award from BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and was also awarded ₹15 lakh along with the trophy. His remarkable consistency with the bat and leadership qualities made him a standout performer during the season.
Prize Money Details
Both Smriti Mandhana and Shubman Gill received identical prize money for their achievements. Here’s a quick look:
| Award Category | Winner | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| Best Women’s International Cricketer | Smriti Mandhana | ₹15 lakh |
| Best Men’s International Cricketer (Polly Umrigar Award) | Shubman Gill | ₹15 lakh |
Complete Winners List – BCCI Naman Awards 2026
The BCCI Naman Awards also recognised several players across categories, including debutants, domestic performers, and lifetime achievers.
Major Awards
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Women’s International Debut | N Shree Charani |
| Best Men’s International Debut | Harshit Rana |
| Best Women’s International Cricketer | Smriti Mandhana |
| Best Men’s International Cricketer | Shubman Gill |
Lifetime Achievement Awards
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award | Roger Binny |
| CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award | Rahul Dravid |
| BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award (Women) | Mithali Raj |
Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy (Junior & Women’s Cricket)
Young talents and women cricketers were also recognised for their impressive performances:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Junior Women’s Cricketer | Ira Jadhav |
| Best Women’s ODI Cricketer | Shafali Verma |
| Most Wickets (U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy – Elite) | Yashvardhan Singh Chauhan |
| Most Wickets (U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy – Plate) | Kishan Sarkar |
| Most Runs (U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy – Elite) | Shantanu Singh |
| Most Runs (U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy – Plate) | Pritam Raj |
MA Chidambaram Trophy (U19 & U23 Performers)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Most Wickets (U19 Cooch Behar Trophy – Elite) | Hemchudeshan J |
| Most Wickets (U19 Cooch Behar Trophy – Plate) | Arkajit Roy |
| Most Runs (U19 Cooch Behar Trophy – Elite) | Nitya Pandya |
| Most Runs (U19 Cooch Behar Trophy – Plate) | Radhavan Ramamurti |
| Most Wickets (U23 CK Nayudu Trophy – Elite) | Vicky Ostwal |
| Most Wickets (U23 CK Nayudu Trophy – Plate) | Dipjyoti Saikia |
| Most Runs (U23 CK Nayudu Trophy – Elite) | Macneil HN |
| Most Runs (U23 CK Nayudu Trophy – Plate) | R Jaswanth Sriram |
Madhavrao Scindia Award (Ranji Trophy)
Top performers in India’s premier domestic tournament, the Ranji Trophy, were also honoured:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Most Wickets (Ranji Trophy – Elite) | Harsh Dubey |
| Most Wickets (Ranji Trophy – Plate) | Suchit J |
| Most Runs (Ranji Trophy – Elite) | YV Rathod |
| Most Runs (Ranji Trophy – Plate) | Snehal Kauthankar |
Lala Amarnath Award
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best All-Rounder (Domestic Limited Overs) | Ayush Mhatre |
| Best All-Rounder (Ranji Trophy) | Harsh Dubey |
Women’s ODI Achievements
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Most Wickets in Women’s ODI | Deepti Sharma |
| Most Runs in Women’s ODI | Smriti Mandhana |
Celebration of India’s Cricketing Excellence
Apart from individual honours, six Indian teams that won ICC trophies were also felicitated during the ceremony, highlighting the country’s growing dominance in world cricket.
The BCCI Naman Awards continue to serve as a platform to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Indian cricketers across all levels. From international stars like Smriti Mandhana and Shubman Gill to emerging young talents, the awards showcase the depth and strength of Indian cricket.
Also Read: Saina Nehwal Announces Retirement from Professional Badminton After Career-Defining Journey
Conclusion
The BCCI Naman Awards 2026 once again highlighted the brilliance of Indian cricket, with Smriti Mandhana and Shubman Gill emerging as the biggest winners of the night. Their performances not only brought glory to Indian cricket but also inspired the next generation of players.
With a mix of experienced legends and rising stars being honoured, the awards underline the bright future of cricket in India.
