Naman Awards 2026: BCCI Celebrates Unprecedented “Five-Star” World Cup Season

NEW DELHI — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted a historic edition of the annual Naman Awards on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking what officials described as the greatest year in the history of Indian cricket. The red-carpet gala at the capital celebrated an extraordinary haul of five ICC trophies won by various national teams between 2024 and 2026.

The ceremony reached its peak when ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Mithun Manhas, and Secretary Devajit Saikia shared the stage with the captains and squads of all five championship-winning sides.

1. The “Five-Star” Showcase

The evening honored a dominant run across all levels of the game, a feat never before achieved by a single cricketing nation in such a short window:

• Men’s Senior T20 World Cup (2026): Celebrated as the crown jewel, the Gautam Gambhir-coached side was honored for their 96-run victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad just last Sunday. India became the first nation to win three T20 World Cups and the first to successfully defend the title on home soil.
• Women’s Senior ODI World Cup (2025): The “Women in Blue” were lauded for their historic home victory, a turning point for the women’s game in India.
• Men’s Champions Trophy (2025): Honoring the senior team’s dominance in the 50-over format.
• U-19 Junior Champions (2026): Both the Men’s U-19 World Cup winners and the Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup champions were recognized, signaling a robust pipeline of future talent.

2. Rahul Dravid: The Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

Former captain and head coach Rahul Dravid was the evening’s most distinguished individual honoree.

• The Legacy: Dravid, who transitioned from a legendary playing career to coaching the senior men to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, reflected on the “phenomenal growth” of the sport since his debut in 1996.
• The Vision: “Indian cricket has always had enormous potential,” Dravid told Star Sports. “Now we are seeing that potential realized… our domestic system and junior structure are finally translating into sustained success on the field.”

3. The “Ahmedabad Masterclass”

The ceremony spent significant time highlighting last week’s T20 World Cup Final.

• Sanju Samson’s Heroics: Player of the Match Sanju Samson was a major focus of the night, having spearheaded India’s run to the title.
• The Gambhir Era: The awards solidified the success of the Gautam Gambhir era, characterized by a “trophy over milestones” philosophy that has now yielded its first major senior ICC trophy.

India’s ICC Trophy Cabinet (2024–2026)