Mumbai: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will receive the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for his exploits in international cricket in the 2018-19 season, the BCCI announced on Sunday.
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The world’s leading pacer will be honoured during the BCCI Annual Awards here on Sunday.
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The world’s No. 1 ODI bowler made his Test debut during India’s tour of South Africa in January 2018 and hasn’t looked back since.
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He picked up a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia and the West Indies becoming the first and only Asian bowler to achieve the feat.
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He played a stellar role in the historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia, India’s first Down Under and which helped them retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
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While Bumrah nets the biggest prize in the men’s category, Poonam Yadav will claim the top prize in women’s section and will be awarded the best international cricketer.
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The award will be another feather in the leg-spinner’s cap who recently received the Arjuna Award.
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Former India captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Anjum Chopra will be presented with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for women respectively.
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A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Srikkanth took on the fearsome West Indies fast bowlers and scored an attacking 38, the top individual score in the low-scoring final at the Lord’s.
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He also captained India and post-retirement served as the chief selector and it was during his tenure that the 2011 World Cup squad was picked.
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Anjum is one of the finest batswomen and the first Indian to play 100 ODIs. In a career spanning 17 years, Anjum represented India in four 50-over World Cups and two T20 World Cup (played in one).
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BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said, “The BCCI Awards is our way of recognising the finest on-field performances right from the age group to senior level and also honour our legends.
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“It will be a special evening in Mumbai as we will also have the 7th MAK Pataudi lecture and I am delighted to inform that it will be Virender Sehwag, who will address the gathering.”
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Board secretary Jay Shah said, “The BCCI Awards are an important feature in India’s cricketing calendar, a melange of aspiration and inspiration.
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“We wanted to make Naman bigger and better and have introduced four new categories – highest run-getter and wicket-takers in WODIs and best international debut men and women – from this year. A total of 25 awards will be presented.”
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Arun Singh Dhumal, the board’s treasurer, said, “Right from domestic to international level, Indian Cricket has had a memorable 2018-19 season.
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“We have started the year on the right note with Team India completing a convincing series win against Sri Lanka and they will be in attendance.
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“The U-19 team is in South Africa for the World Cup and all eyes will be on the stars of tomorrow. It will be a special evening and I congratulate the award winners.”
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