Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and V.V.S. Laxman were felicitated at the BCCI annual awards function 2011-12 here on Wednesday.
“I dedicate this award to the Indian fans. There is no bigger award than this in Indian cricket. I am really honoured to join the list of winners. I am also humbled that the BCCI has chosen me worthy of this award,” said Sunil Gavaskar after receiving the Lifetime Achievement award that carried a citation, trophy and a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh.
“I also thank all the associations, the BCCI President N. Srinivasan and his other colleagues, the media for highlighting my scores and bringing it to the attention of the selectors and the public. I want to tell this to the Indian cricket fans. Have faith in this team.
“This Indian cricket team is good and they will bring smile to your face, just like this award has brought smile to my face,” said Gavaskar.
Honour for Tendulkar
Tendulkar was honoured with a gold-plated bat for scoring a century of centuries in international cricket and Kohli was chosen as the best Indian international cricketer of the year. “We grew up watching you, Mr. Gavaskar. Thanks for inspiring me to play cricket.
“All I wanted to do was to follow your footsteps. I was 12 or so and was disappointed I did not get the best junior cricketer award. I got a letter from Mr. Gavaskar saying if you go through that list there is one person who did not get that award and he (Gavaskar) had not done badly in Tests,” said Tendulkar.
“The BCCI has always stood by me, while doing well or not doing well, or when I was injured. I also thank John Wright (former India coach). He told me in 2002-03 when we were flying from Johannesburg to Durban that I should complete 100 international hundreds. I asked him ‘what, are you drinking’? Now I am standing in front of you after scoring 100 centuries. Thank you John Wright.
Former India captain Mohd. Azharuddin was also present at the function.
The award winners:
Col. C.K. Nayudu lifetime achievement award: Sunil Gavaskar: citation and cheque for Rs. 25 lakh.
Polly Umrigar award: Virat Kohli: Trophy & cheque for Rs. 5 lakh.
Lala Amarnath award for best all-rounder in Ranji Trophy: Stuart Binny (KSCA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Lala Amarnath award for best all-rounder in domestic limited overs: Laxmi Ratan Shukla (CAB): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 2.5. lakh.
Madhavrao Scindia award for highest scorer in Ranji Trophy: Robin Bist (RCA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Madhavrao Scindia award for highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy: Ashok Dinda (CAB): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 2.5 lakh.
M.A. Chidambaram trophy, best under-16 player: Mohd. Saif (UPCA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 50,000.
M.A. Chidambaram trophy, best under-19 player: Vijay Zol (Maharashtra CA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 50,000.
M.A. Chidambaram trophy, best under-22 player: Satyam Choudhary (MPCA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 50,000.
M.A. Chidambaram trophy, best woman cricketer (sr): Anagha Deshpande (Maharashtra CA): Trophy & cheque for Rs. 50,000.
Best umpire in domestic cricket: S. Ravi: Trophy & cheque for Rs. 50,000.
