Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid expressed deep gratitude after receiving the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026, describing the recognition as a special and humbling moment in his long association with Indian cricket.
Dravid, along with former Roger Binny, was honoured with the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to former Indian cricketers for their exceptional contribution to the sport. Meanwhile, former India captain Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women during the ceremony held in New Delhi on Sunday.
The BCCI Naman Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding performances and long-standing contributions across international, domestic and age-group cricket. It also honours individuals whose work has played a significant role in shaping and strengthening the sport in India.
Reacting to the honour, Dravid said he felt privileged to be included among the legendary names who had previously received the award and inspired him throughout his cricketing journey.
“I am very grateful to receive this award. The earlier recipients of this honour are some of the greatest legends of the game in our country. They are people I have always admired and looked up to as a player and as a coach,” he said.
Dravid added that the recognition was especially meaningful because it reflected his lifelong involvement with Indian cricket, which began during his early years in age-group competitions.
He said he felt humbled and thankful for the opportunities he had received in the sport since his early days playing under-15 cricket, describing the award as a reflection of his long journey and dedication to the game.
Reflecting on his role in Indian cricket, Dravid explained that he always saw himself as someone who carried forward the legacy built by earlier generations of players and mentors.
“I have always believed that I was just carrying the torch from an earlier generation—whether as a player or a coach. I tried to build on the work done by those before me and contribute in the best way I could,” he said.
The former India coach also praised the current generation of cricketers and administrators for continuing to strengthen Indian cricket and taking the game to greater heights.
Dravid was honoured for his remarkable contribution to Indian cricket both as a legendary batter and as an influential coach. During his international career, he scored over 24,000 runs, anchoring India’s batting line-up for more than a decade and playing a key role in several historic victories as a player and captain.
After retiring from international cricket, Dravid continued to shape the future of the sport through his work at the National Cricket Academy, where he played a major role in developing young talent and guiding India’s Under-19 team to victory in the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Later, as head coach of the Indian men’s team, he led the side to triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, further cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket.
