At the BCCI Awards ceremony held in Mumbai on 1st February, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

The iconic batsman, who played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, retired in November 2013 with an incredible 34,357 international runs and 100 centuries to his name. This award is a tribute to his remarkable 24-year career, where he not only achieved personal milestones but also carried the hopes of an entire nation, propelling Indian cricket onto the global stage.

The BCCI described him as a "phenomenon" who transformed the game in India and beyond.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler and recent ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year (2024), claimed the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the third time.

Bumrah's exceptional year included 71 wickets from 13 Tests and being named Player of the Tournament in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.

On the women's side, Smriti Mandhana continued her dominance, winning the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for the fourth time. Her year was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 747 runs in ODIs and 763 runs in T20Is, with a career-best 149 in the Test against South Africa.

Young talents Sarfaraz Khan and Asha Sobhana also took home the Best International Debut awards for Men and Women, respectively, while R. Ashwin, who retired after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, was honoured with a special award by the BCCI for his outstanding contributions.

It was an evening celebrating cricketing excellence across genders and generations!