Gaurav Gupta [ TOI ]
MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its Annual Awards function in Hyderabad on January 23 in Hyderabad, ahead of the first Test between India and England, which will start in the Charminar City from January 25.
Both the teams will attend the function. This will be the BCCI’s first Annual Awards function in four years, with covid causing the long break.
With a backlog of quite a few years, the list of awardees will surely be long.
The last BCCI Annual awards function – for the 2018-19 season, was held on January 13, 2020 in Mumbai, just two months before covid-19 struck. On that occasion, ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had won the ‘Polly Umrigar Award’ for the Best International Cricketer, while leg-spinner Poonam Yadav had won the awards in the women’s category.
The CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement awards were given to former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth in the men’s section and former India captain Anjum Chopra in the women’s section.
In a communication (TOI has a copy) to the BCCI’s Apex Council members, Board secretary Jay Shah has written: “This prestigious event serves as a platform to recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of the best cricketers in India. The BCCI Annual Awards hold a special place in our hearts, as they symbolize excellence, dedication, and passion for our wonderful sport.”
“I believe that your participation will not only be a testament to your support for Indian cricket, but also an acknowledgement of the tremendous contributions made by our cricketing heroes and to the promise shown by young achievers. Please accept our gratitude for your continuous support to Indian cricket,” Shah has stated.
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