The BCCI Naman Awards, held on March 15 in New Delhi, was more than just a formal recognition of cricketing excellence; it was a vibrant celebration of a historic year for Indian cricket. Following a spectacular season where India secured multiple ICC titles including the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, the atmosphere at the gala was electric.
The evening served as a bridge between generations, honoring legends like Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj while spotlighting the meteoric rise of young stars. However, amidst the glitz of the trophies and the solemnity of the speeches, one segment stole the spotlight for its charm and humour: a high-energy rapid-fire round hosted by the ‘Voice of Cricket,’ Harsha Bhogle.
The joyful rapid-fire showdown of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya and Vaibhav Suryavanshi
The highlight of the informal segments was undoubtedly when Bhogle invited Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and the 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi to the stage for a rapid-fire session. The players, shedding their competitive intensity, gave fans a rare glimpse into their personal lives and childhood inspirations.
When asked about their cricketing idols, the answers reflected a diverse range of influences. Abhishek Sharma didn’t hesitate to name his mentor Yuvraj Singh, while Sanju Samson stayed true to his roots with Sachin Tendulkar. In a classic witty twist, Hardik Pandya named domestic legend Wasim Jaffer, while the young Vaibhav Suryavanshi showcased a broad palate, citing both Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh.
The conversation took a nostalgic turn with questions about their first video games. While Abhishek reminisced about the classic EA Sports’ Cricket 07 and Sanju recalled the open-world chaos of GTA Vice City, Hardik revealed he was a WWE fan. Proving he is truly a different breed of modern teenager, Vaibhav simply stated, “Sir, I don’t play video games,” drawing cheers from the audience.
The humor continued as they discussed their first vehicles. Abhishek started humble with a Honda Activa, and Sanju recalled his Maruti Wagon R. Hardik, known today for his luxury car collection, shared that his journey began with a Maruti 800. Meanwhile, Vaibhav, still too young to drive, admitted he hasn’t bought anything yet.
One of the most surprising revelations came from Samson; when asked about the first match he ever saw in a stadium, he confessed, “I think it was an IPL game that I was part of. I never went to the stadium to watch a match [as a fan].” To cap it off, the players shared their cinematic tastes, ranging from Sanju’s devotion to Superstar Rajinikanth to Hardik’s odd obsession with Godzilla, Abhishek’s 3 Idiots and Vaibhav’s Dhurandhar.
Here’s the video:
Champions take on some quick-fire questions! ⚡
First game? First vehicle? & more ft Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! 🙌 #NamanAwards pic.twitter.com/pj9KDOma68
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 15, 2026
Major award distributions at BCCI Naman Awards
While the rapid-fire round provided the laughs, the core of the Naman Awards was the celebration of record-breaking performances over the 2024-25 season.
Shubman Gill was the man of the hour, clinching his second Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men). The Indian Test and ODI captain enjoyed a legendary 2025, amassing 1,764 runs across formats. His dominance in red-ball cricket was the talk of the night, specifically his 754-run tally in the five-Test series against England, where he averaged a staggering 75.40 and registered a career-best 269.
On the women’s side, Smriti Mandhana made history by receiving the Best International Women’s Cricketer award for a record fifth time. Mandhana’s 2025 season was statistically unprecedented; she became the first woman in ODI history to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year, finishing with 1,362 runs in the format. Her pivotal 434-run contribution during India’s maiden Women’s World Cup triumph and her 50-ball century against Australia—the fastest by an Indian woman—cemented her status as a global icon.
The BCCI also bestowed the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award upon three giants of the game:
- Roger Binny: The 1983 World Cup hero and former BCCI President was honored for his decades of service as a player and administrator.
- Rahul Dravid: “The Wall” was celebrated for his impeccable playing career (over 24,000 international runs) and his recent success as the coach who guided both the U19 and senior men’s teams to World Cup glory.
- Mithali Raj: The trailblazer of Indian women’s cricket was recognized for her 23-year career and her record 7,805 ODI runs, a feat that remains unmatched in the women’s game.
The night concluded with a sense of optimism, as Samson remarked during the ceremony, “India is going to do this more and more often,” referring to the nation’s growing collection of silverware.
