Hyderabad, In a glittering ceremony, former India captain and head coach, Ravi Shastri, was honored with the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The event, held in Hyderabad, also saw former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shastri, a vital part of India’s World Cup-winning squad in 1983, expressed his emotions during the ceremony, stating, “It certainly is (an emotional moment). Ladies and gentlemen thanks for coming, and I thank the BCCI for bestowing this honor on me. It’s four decades in the game, you have not missed a beat, and you have been involved with Indian cricket right through.”
Acknowledging BCCI’s role in his cricketing journey, Shastri shared a heartfelt sentiment, “It is a very touching moment for me because when I started my cricket at the age of 17 and I finished at 31 as a player, 30, in fact, BCCI was my guardian right through. They showed me the path to play the sport. You know when the bucks were not big in the game, as Farokh (Engineer) had mentioned. But there was pride in playing for your country.”
Reflecting on the growth of BCCI as a powerhouse in world cricket, Shastri highlighted its positive impact on generations of players. “I saw the BCCI growing up in the 40 years of mine, you know, a powerhouse in world cricket, and because of that, you can see generations after generations of players benefiting. So, for me, this is a very special evening with the women’s team, the men’s cricket team there.”
The ceremony also recognized other outstanding performers. Star batter Shubman Gill received the Polly Umrigar Best Men’s International Cricketer of the Year (2022-23) award. Gill’s stellar performance in ODIs, including becoming the fastest batsman to reach the 2000-run mark, earned him the prestigious accolade.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was honored with the Best International Debut during the 2022-23 season for his notable innings against West Indies. Spinner Deepti Sharma, whose impactful bowling played a crucial role in India’s recent Test win over England, was awarded the International Women’s Cricketer of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
The event also featured a list of awards recognizing achievements in various categories, including the Dilip Sardesai Award, Lala Amarnath Award, Madhavrao Scindia Trophy, and MA Chidambaram Trophy, among others.
As the cricketing fraternity celebrates the accomplishments of these cricketing stalwarts, Shastri’s emotional moment stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and pride associated with representing the nation in the game of cricket.
