Indian cricket’s annual awards ceremony is set to celebrate several of the sport’s most influential figures, with Rahul Dravid among the leading names to be recognised for his long-standing contribution to the game. According to a report by The Indian Express, the former India captain and coach will receive the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s Naman Awards ceremony scheduled in Delhi on March 15.
The honour places Dravid alongside former India women’s captain Mithali Raj and former India all-rounder and current BCCI President Roger Binny, who are also set to receive lifetime recognition for their roles in shaping Indian cricket across generations.
Rahul Dravid honoured after long playing and coaching career
Dravid’s influence spans both his playing days and his later role as a coach within the national setup. Across a 16-year international career, he represented India in 509 matches across formats and became one of the most reliable batters of his era.
In Test cricket, he compiled 13,288 runs in 164 matches at an average of 52.31, including 36 centuries. His One Day International record was similarly impressive, producing 10,889 runs in 344 appearances with 12 hundreds and 83 half-centuries. His only appearance in the T20 international format came during a match against England in Manchester in 2011.
Often nicknamed “The Wall” for his defensive resilience and ability to occupy the crease for long periods, Dravid formed part of India’s celebrated batting quartet alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman during a transformative era for the national side.
Coaching journey strengthens Dravid’s legacy
After retiring from international cricket in 2012, Dravid moved into mentoring and coaching roles. He initially worked as a commentator before taking charge of India’s Under-19 and India A sides, helping shape the next generation of talent.
His Under-19 team captured the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title in 2018, with players such as Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw emerging from that squad.
Dravid was later appointed Head Coach of the Indian men’s team in 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri. During his tenure, India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and eventually secured the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2024.
Reflecting on that triumph, India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir credited Dravid’s role in strengthening the national side. “Look, first of all, I think I should dedicate this trophy to Rahul bhai. Because what Rahul bhai has done to keep Indian cricket in such a good shape, I have to thank him for everything he’s done during his tenure,” Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.
Mithali Raj and Roger Binny also recognised
The awards ceremony will also celebrate contributions from two other major figures in Indian cricket.
Mithali Raj, one of the most accomplished players in the history of women’s cricket, represented India between 1999 and 2022. She holds the record for the most runs in women’s ODIs, scoring 7,805 runs in 232 matches at an average of 50.68. During her career she also accumulated 699 runs in Test cricket and led India to two Women’s World Cup finals before retiring.
Roger Binny, a member of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning team, will also receive the lifetime honour. He served as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India from 2022 until stepping down in 2025 after reaching the board’s age limit of 70 for administrative roles.
Shubman Gill to receive cricketer of the year award
Alongside the lifetime honours, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is set to be recognised as the BCCI’s Cricketer of the Year following a standout period across formats.
The 26-year-old accumulated 1,764 runs in international cricket during the year at an average of 49. His performances included 983 runs in Test cricket, highlighted by a prolific series in England where he scored 754 runs in the drawn tour.
Gill also made a major contribution in limited-overs cricket, adding 490 runs in ODIs including 188 during India’s successful Champions Trophy campaign. In domestic franchise cricket, he produced another strong season in the IPL with 650 runs for Gujarat Titans at an average of 50.
Additional honours at BCCI’s Naman Awards
The BCCI’s annual awards ceremony will recognise several other achievements across Indian cricket. Mumbai’s Ayush Mhatre is set to receive the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-round performance in domestic limited-overs cricket.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association is expected to be honoured as the best cricket association in domestic cricket as part of the Naman Awards celebrations in Delhi.
