Chennai, Dec 11: Indian batting maestro Rahul Dravid and former captain Ajit Wadekar were honoured with the BCCI’s top recognitions, the Polly Umrigar Award and the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award respectively, here in a ceremony held on Saturday.
Dravid, who made 1,285 runs from 15 Tests at an average of over 53, including six centuries, from October 2010 to September 2011, said in a message to BCCI.TV, “I think a lot of my good performance is down to the hard work I put in. I think it has all paid off this year.
“It was a mixed year, with the disappointment in South Africa and then the [personally productive] series against England and the West Indies. But it is an honour to be recognised by your own board for being the best player of the year,” he said.
Former India captain Wadekar was honoured with the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award on the 40th anniversary of the iconic tours of 1971, when he led the Indian team to series victories in the West Indies and England.
While collecting the award from BCCI president N Srinivasan, Wadekar acknowledged his teammates of the legendary tours. ''I dedicate this award to the 1971 team,'' Wadekar said in his thanksgiving speech.
He described the present squad, under the ''able leadership of M S Dhoni”, as the best ever in the annals of Indian cricket. “The team is full of achievers of world records,” he added.
Wadekar also observed that there was abundant talent in the Under-19 squad, a good sign for the game. ''The future is very, very bright for Indian cricket'', he said.
”I am overwhelmed. I really don’t know if I am worthy of this award, the BCCI’s highest award. I was the 12th man in my college cricket team. I was carrying drinks for them – that’s how I got into the team!”
The following is the complete list of awards conferred on cricketers during the ceremony:
Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Ajit Wadekar
Polly Umrigar Award: Rahul Dravid
Madhavrao Scindia Award (highest scorer in Ranji Trophy): S. Badrinath (922 runs in nine matches)
Madhavrao Scindia Award (highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy): Bhargav Bhatt (47 wkts. in nine matches)
M.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Best U-16 cricketer): Vijay Zol (858 runs in seven matches)
M.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Best U-19 cricketer): Avi Barot (971 runs in seven matches)
M.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Best U-22 cricketer): Suryakumar Yadav (721 runs in seven matches)
M.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Best woman cricketer): Jhulan Goswami (21 wkts. in eight matches)
M.A. Chidambaram Trophy (Best junior woman cricketer): Mona Meshram (623 runs in eight matches)
Best Umpire in domestic cricket: S. Ravi.
Dilip Sardesai Award for India's best cricketer in the 2011 Test series in West Indies: Ishant Sharma
Dilip Sardesai Award for India's Best Cricketer in the 2011-12 Test series against West Indies: R. Ashwin
Lala Amarnath Award for best all-rounder in Ranji Trophy: Iqbal Abdulla (385 runs and 27 wkts. from eight matches)
Lala Amarnath Award for best all-rounder in domestic tournaments: Sumit Narwal (163 runs and 13 wkts. in six matches)
Best overall performance: Railways Sports Promotion Board and Delhi and District Cricket Association
