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- BCCI Naman Awards 2025 Highlights: Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana win Best International Cricketer awards; Sachin Tendulkar receives Lifetime Achievement Award
BCCI Naman Awards 2025 Highlights: Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana win Best International Cricketer awards; Sachin Tendulkar receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Talismanic pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been honoured with the BCCI's Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer in the men’s category, while elegant batter Smriti Mandhana takes home the women's trophy.
Bumrah’s mastery in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and his pivotal role in India’s series victories make him a deserving recipient. Mandhana, who shone as the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year, impressed with a record four ODI centuries and a striking 57.86 average.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired in December 2024 with 537 Test wickets, will be presented with a special award marking the end of his illustrious career. Mumbai’s rising star Sarfaraz Khan clinches the Best International Debut award for his swashbuckling performances against England and New Zealand. Asha Sobhana was recognized for her debut excellence in the women’s game, starring with the ball against South Africa.
Mandhana also secures the Highest Run Getter in ODIs medal, while Deepti Sharma earns the Highest Wickets in ODIs accolade. Rising all-rounder Tanush Kotian, after his stellar performances in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy win, will be awarded for Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments. The Mumbai Cricket Association’s exceptional success across multiple tournaments also earns them a major honour.
The evening will culminate with the presentation of the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.
Follow all the live updates on TimesofIndia.com.
My advice to young cricketers is simple: value the gift of cricket. We have all managed without much, but when you have everything, don’t let distractions disrupt your career. Stay focused on the game, respect the opportunity, and give your best. One day, you’ll look back and realize how fortunate you were to play the game.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Message for Young Cricketers
That farewell in 2013 was overwhelming. The flood of love and affection from the nation left me speechless. When the team gave me a guard of honor, I realized it was the end of my playing days. I realized how rare and precious such moments are, and I advised young cricketers to cherish their time as current players.
Sachin Tendulkar on His Farewell
Overcoming injuries was tough. I felt like a Formula One car—only seen on the track, but there’s a whole team behind. Doctors, physios, and support staff made it possible for me to continue playing. At times, I thought my career was over, but I was fortunate to have strong people around me. I recall moments when I’d hit the ball and feel an immense sense of gratitude for the game. I said thank you to my bat for everything it has given me.
Sachin Tendulkar on Overcoming Injuries and Setbacks
In the mid-90s, I took a stand and played for two years without a bat contract due to alcohol and tobacco promotions. My family, especially my parents, guided me to make such decisions. Values were always at the core of my journey, and the support of my family was instrumental in shaping my career.
Sachin Tendulkar on Maintaining Values
In 1999, I lost my father during the World Cup, and that changed me overnight. From then on, I made it a point to celebrate every good moment in my life by looking up and offering it to my father. It’s something I still do today—every milestone is shared with him.
Sachin Tendulkar on His Father’s Influence and the Emotional Shift
I never liked counting numbers, as I believe that’s when they elude you. But 1998 was a year when I felt truly in the zone. I could almost anticipate the bowler’s moves and read the game as if the ball was coming to me with a clear purpose. It was special playing against Australia—people dubbed it Tendulkar vs Warne, but it was always India vs Australia. It’s a rivalry I cherish deeply.
Sachin Tendulkar Recalls Rivalry against Shane Warne
In 1989, I was just 16, and today, for Ashwin to call me Mr. Tendulkar—thanks, Ash, for making me realize my age. I remember a lot from those days, like in Pakistan, where I once turned up late to the bus for practice. Kapil paji, who used to call me Tenlya, taught me the importance of punctuality. That habit of keeping my watch fast has stayed with me since then. It was a learning period that shaped me.
Sachin Tendulkar on His Early Days and Learning Experience
Here's a list of all winners at the BCCI Awards 2025:
- Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award - Men: Sachin Tendulkar
- Polly Umrigar Award - Best International Cricketer - Men: Jasprit Bumrah
- Best International Cricketer - Women: Smriti Mandhana
- Best International Debut - Men: Sarfaraz Khan
- Best International Debut - Women: Asha Sobhana
- BCCI Special Award: Ravichandran Ashwin
- Highest Run-Getter in ODIs - Women: Smriti Mandhana
- Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs - Women: Deepti Sharma
- Best Umpire In Domestic Cricket: Akshay Totre
- M.A. Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run-Getter in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: Kavya Teotia
- M.A. Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: Vishnu Bhardwaj
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Best Woman Cricketer Senior Domestic: Priya Mishra
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Best Woman Cricketer Junior Domestic: Ishwari Awasare
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Hemchudeshan Jeganathan
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Lakshya Raichandani
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Plate Group): Neizekho Rupreo
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Plate Group): Hem Chetri
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Elite Group): P Vidyuth
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Elite Group): Aneesh KV
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Wicket-Taker in Ranji Trophy (Plate Group): Mohit Jangra
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Wicket-Taker in Ranji Trophy (Elite Group): Tanay Thyagarajan
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Run Getter in Ranji Trophy (Plate Group): Agni Chopra
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Run Getter in Ranji Trophy (Elite Group): Ricky Bhui from Andhra Pradesh was the winner.
- Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs Competitions: Shashank Singh from Chhattisgarh received this medal.
- Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-Rounder in Ranji Trophy: Tanush Kotian
- Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments: Mumbai
Test Matches:
- Matches: 200
- Runs: 15,921
- Average: 53.78
- Centuries: 51
- Half-Centuries: 68
- Highest Score: 248*
ODI Matches:
- Matches: 463
- Runs: 18,426
- Average: 44.83
- Centuries: 49
- Half-Centuries: 96
- Highest Score: 200*
T20Is:
- Matches: 1
- Runs: 10
- Average: 10.00
- Centuries: 0
Total International Runs: 34,357 (Test, ODI, T20I combined)
Total Centuries: 100 (51 Test, 49 ODI)
First-Class Matches:
Matches: 310
Runs: 25,396
List A Matches:
Matches: 552
Runs: 21,999
Awards:
- Bharat Ratna (2014)
- Padma Vibhushan (2008)
- Padma Bhushan (2001)
- Arjuna Award (1994)
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009)
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At a star-studded event in Mumbai, cricketing icons Rohit Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Hardik Pandya engaged in an exciting and playful conversation during the session titled Life Beyond the Boundary, hosted by Harsha Bhogle. The segment offered a rare glimpse into the personal lives and candid moments of these cricketers, allowing the audience to connect with them beyond the boundary lines.
The session kicked off with a light-hearted discussion about Mumbai’s infamous traffic. Hardik Pandya, sharing his personal experience, humorously described how navigating Mumbai’s congestion could turn frustrating, especially when you're stuck in it for hours. However, he admitted that sometimes, instead of getting angry, it’s just about finding ways to pass the time while sitting in traffic. Hardik's candid and relatable take on this everyday challenge resonated with the audience, as many could relate to the stress of Mumbai’s never-ending traffic jams.
The conversation soon veered into more personal territory, with Jemimah Rodrigues asking Hardik what he found more difficult: changing diapers or bowling a death over. Hardik, as a father, didn’t hesitate in admitting that changing diapers was far more challenging than bowling, as it was a new experience for him, unlike cricket, which he had been practising his whole life. This brought a humorous and relatable twist to the conversation, allowing the audience to see Hardik in a more personal light.
Smriti Mandhana was next in the spotlight, with Harsha Bhogle asking her about her sense of fashion. While Smriti humbly downplayed her style icon status, she revealed that she preferred simple, comfortable clothes like jeans and tops, which was a stark contrast to the glamorous outfits expected at events. She playfully mentioned how, despite being a cricketer, some teammates needed a little more style advice, without naming anyone directly.
The banter continued as Smriti shared her music preferences, admitting she was more inclined toward slow and romantic songs, like those by Arijit Singh, instead of the upbeat Punjabi tracks that dominated the team’s playlist. She also confessed that she preferred listening to music through headphones to avoid annoying the rest of the team with her song choices.
In another moment of fun, Rohit Sharma was asked about his daughter, Samaira, and whether she had taken an interest in cricket. Rohit shared that he and his daughter enjoyed playing cricket together at home, but it was just for fun. He also revealed how his daughter loved batting, much like any budding cricketer, but emphasized that it was all about having fun rather than seriously pursuing the sport at such a young age.
The discussion also touched on their favourite travel destinations, with Smriti sharing her love for mountains over beaches. She mentioned how she enjoyed her recent trip to Austria and looked forward to more getaways whenever possible. The session ended with a final question to Rohit about his go-to Mumbai street food. He shared his fondness for popular snacks like pav bhaji, bhel puri, and panipuri, a true reflection of his love for the city’s culinary offerings.
In the final act, Jemimah Rodrigues sang a song for her parents as well.
I think over the past two or three years, I’ve spoken a lot about that game. For us, it’s just another game. We will focus on doing what any cricket team needs to do on that particular day—nothing more, nothing less. There’s no special mention or extra emphasis from our side on that game. We just want to show up, play our best cricket, and perform well.
Rohit Sharma on the upcoming India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy match
Yeah, look, the ICC Champions Trophy, as we know, comes every year now, so there’s no time to take the foot off the gas. You always want to be there, ready for the challenge. We recently finished the T20 World Cup, which was fantastic for us, and now we’re looking forward to another one just a few weeks away. Everyone is preparing in their own way—some players are competing in domestic cricket, while others are engaged in international matches. So, when the time comes, it’s all about getting your mind right and focusing on what lies ahead.
Rohit Sharma told Star Sports
I mean, we’ve decided that it’s a collective effort. We have committed to playing a certain brand of cricket moving forward, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. In a T20 game, before you even blink, the game can be over. Everyone needs to have their own plan—different players have different approaches—but we must all be on the same page. If we want to do something special, change the way T20 cricket is played, and be a little more fearless, we have to go out and express ourselves. That’s exactly what everyone is doing. I keep saying it—these guys have made my job a lot easier. I’m hoping to get some runs as well, but they’re doing everything to push us past the winning line.
Team India T20 Captain Suryakumar Yadav
I feel, yeah, it was really a special moment. All the guys put in a lot of hard work, and we reached that moment because of all the effort behind the scenes. When I got the chance to take that catch, it was the result of all that hard work. I’m really, really happy and proud, and at the same time, grateful to be in that moment. As soon as the ball went in the air, I thought, let me at least try to push it inside the boundary rope. At worst, it would go for a two or a four. But being in that 15- to 20-second moment completely changed my life, and it is truly one of the greatest moments of my life.
Suryakumar Yadav on his iconic T20 World Cup final catch against South Africa
"More importantly, when two countries like India and Pakistan play against each other, emotions run high. However, ultimately, the contest remains the same—it’s always between bat and ball. Hopefully, we will approach that game with the same mindset."
"For me, I think both Rohit and Virat bring so much value to the dressing room and add so much value to Indian cricket as well. So, I'm sure both those guys, along with the rest of the team, will be absolutely hungry and will start very well because that is something that will be important come the 20th. I love the fact that you mentioned that," he added.
Here's a list of all winners at the BCCI Awards 2025:
- Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award - Men: Sachin Tendulkar
- Polly Umrigar Award - Best International Cricketer - Men: Jasprit Bumrah
- Best International Cricketer - Women: Smriti Mandhana
- Best International Debut - Men: Sarfaraz Khan
- Best International Debut - Women: Asha Sobhana
- BCCI Special Award: Ravichandran Ashwin
- Highest Run-Getter in ODIs - Women: Smriti Mandhana
- Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs - Women: Deepti Sharma
- Best Umpire In Domestic Cricket: Akshay Totre
- M.A. Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run-Getter in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: Kavya Teotia
- M.A. Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy: Vishnu Bhardwaj
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Best Woman Cricketer Senior Domestic: Priya Mishra
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Best Woman Cricketer Junior Domestic: Ishwari Awasare
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Hemchudeshan Jeganathan
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Lakshya Raichandani
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Plate Group): Neizekho Rupreo
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Plate Group): Hem Chetri
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Wicket-Taker in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Elite Group): P Vidyuth
- MA Chidambaram Trophy - Highest Run Getter in U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy (Elite Group): Aneesh KV
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Wicket-Taker in Ranji Trophy (Plate Group): Mohit Jangra
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Wicket-Taker in Ranji Trophy (Elite Group): Tanay Thyagarajan
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Run Getter in Ranji Trophy (Plate Group): Agni Chopra
- Madhavrao Scindia Award - Highest Run Getter in Ranji Trophy (Elite Group): Ricky Bhui from Andhra Pradesh was the winner.
- Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-Rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs Competitions: Shashank Singh from Chhattisgarh received this medal.
- Lala Amarnath Award for the Best All-Rounder in Ranji Trophy: Tanush Kotian
- Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments: Mumbai.
