Following an extended hiatus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to bring back the glitter to one of cricket’s most prestigious national award ceremonies. After a gap of four years, the BCCI is set to host the second edition of the NAMAN awards, a grand celebration meant to be an annual fixture on the cricketing calendar. This remarkable event is not merely a return but a cumulative recognition of cricketing brilliance, as winners from 2020 through 2023 will be commended with their well-deserved accolades during the resplendent extravaganza.
In a revelation that has sparked buzz and elation among cricket aficionados and peers alike, it has been announced that former cricketer and esteemed coach, Ravi Shastri, alongside cricket’s rising sensation, Shubman Gill, will be among the luminary gallery of recipients at the event. An inside source from the BCCI shared with PTI that Ravi Shastri has been selected for a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Shubman Gill will be gracing the stage to accept the prestigious title of ‘Cricketer of the Year.’
The choice of Shastri comes as no surprise to those who have followed his storied career. Being a key player in the World Cup-winning squad of 1983, Shastri later took on the role of a visionary head coach from 2018 to 2021, transforming the Indian cricket team into a formidable force, particularly in the Test arena across foreign pitches. Under his tutelage, the red-ball team, led by adept captains Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, enjoyed its zenith, asserting India’s dominance in Test cricket on an international stage.
Shastri’s shrewd and strategic emphasis on creating a pace attack capable of dismantling the grandest of batting line-ups propelled India to exceptional victories in England, Australia, and South Africa. His contribution to the game transcends the on-pitch victories, as his coaching led India to the pinnacle of Test cricket glory, ensuring their position in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2021. Now a commentator entertaining audiences worldwide, Shastri continues to be lauded for his formative influence on the Indian Test squad’s overseas success.
Complementing this award ceremony is the meteoric rise of Shubman Gill. Bursting onto the scene under Shastri’s coaching regime, Gill has cemented his place in cricket’s limelight with a stunning 2023 season. With an array of masterful performances across all formats of the game, including seven centuries—one of which was a record-breaking double hundred in ODIs—and ten fifties, Gill notched up the highest total runs scored by a batsman in a single year. His memorable 890-run haul in the IPL solidified his status as an all-format powerhouse.
As Gill makes his transition from opening to solidifying his position at No.3, 2024 stands poised to witness his adaptability and potential to reinforce his newly adopted batting slot. The young cricketer’s achievements are a testament to his diligence and raw talent, establishing him as a pivotal figure for Indian cricket’s future exploits.
While the limelight is decidedly on these two eminent figures, the award show is set to be a broader celebration of excellence, honoring the triumphs of Indian cricket over several years. The upcoming NAMAN awards ceremony promises to be a spectacle of grandeur, recognizing the tenacity and triumph of India’s cricket heroes from both the recent and former eras.
In a world of swift cricketing action and evolving sports narratives, such acknowledgments serve as reflective moments, honoring the sport’s rich heritage and the individuals who have elevated the game to remarkable heights. As the preparations for the awards unfurl, the cricket community eagerly awaits a night of stars, stories, and celebration, etching yet another memorable chapter in the annals of Indian cricket.
