Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana Shine at Naman Awards 2026
In a grand ceremony held in New Delhi on March 15, 2026, cricketers Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were celebrated for their outstanding performances at the Naman Awards. Gill was awarded the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer in men’s cricket, while Mandhana took home the title of Best International Cricketer for women from the BCCI.
This award marks Gill’s second Cricketer of the Year title, having previously won it in 2023. He had an impressive season, scoring 1,584 runs in 29 ODIs with an average of 63.36 and a strike rate of 105.45, including five centuries.
Expressing his gratitude, Gill said, “Thank you to the BCCI for this honor. It’s special to join the ranks of greats who’ve received this award. Last year was incredible for our team with five ICC trophies—a remarkable achievement.”
He continued, “I appreciate my teammates; this success wouldn’t be possible without them. A heartfelt thanks to my family for their support.”
For Mandhana, this award marks her fifth win, having previously triumphed in 2018, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2023-24. She emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “I can’t talk about this award without mentioning the team. It’s been a fantastic year, and I appreciate the BCCI’s support for women’s cricket. I hope we reach even greater heights.”
Shubman Gill’s Rise in 2025
Gill had an exceptional year in 2025, especially in Test matches, where he became a reliable player for India. During the Test series in England, he was the leading run-scorer with 754 runs from 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries.
He had a remarkable start, scoring 585 runs in the first two Tests alone, making it his first series as captain after taking over from Rohit Sharma. Furthermore, Gill played a vital role in India’s success in the Champions Trophy 2025, scoring an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in the opening match and finishing the tournament as the team’s third-highest run-scorer.
Despite being left out of the T20 World Cup squad in 2026, the BCCI honored Gill at the Naman Awards for his significant contributions, recognizing his impact on India’s Test and ODI teams.
Smriti Mandhana’s Stellar Performance
Mandhana has been a standout player for India since early 2025. She ended the year with a remarkable 1,703 international runs, including a record-breaking 1,362 in ODIs—the highest by any woman in a calendar year. This achievement made her the first female ODI batter to score 1,000 runs in a single year during the Women’s World Cup.
Her contributions were crucial in India’s victorious Women’s World Cup campaign, where she was the team’s top run-scorer and the second overall, with 434 runs at an average of 54.25. Her strong performance highlighted her value in crucial matches.
In September 2025, Mandhana made headlines by scoring the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter, hitting a 50-ball ton against Australia. Later in December, she became the first Indian—and only the second player ever—to cross 4,000 runs in Women’s T20Is during a match against Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Both players, Gill and Mandhana, continue to set high standards in the cricketing world and inspire many aspiring athletes with their remarkable achievements.
