‘Bromance KL x Sanju’: Fans react to KL Rahul’s heartwarming gesture for Sanju Samson
In the video, Rahul calls Samson for a hug as he walks up to collect his award, a gesture that quickly went viral and drew emotional reactions from fans online.
India’s cricketing heroes gathered in New Delhi on Sunday for the prestigious BCCI Naman Awards 2026, celebrating exceptional performances, enduring contributions, and historic achievements across international, domestic, and age-group cricket. The ceremony honored players whose efforts have shaped Indian cricket and inspired the next generation.
The night paid tribute to legends and current stars alike. Rahul Dravid and Roger Binny received the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for their immense contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid, whose 24,000-plus international runs and mentorship as head coach have guided India to victories, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, was lauded for his lasting influence on the game.
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Binny, a key member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning side, was recognized for his on-field exploits and off-field roles, from coaching India U-19 to serving as BCCI president. Mithali Raj was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, celebrating her pioneering role in elevating Indian women’s cricket and her status as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs.
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Among current stars, Shubman Gill was named Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024–25 season, while all-rounder Harshit Rana took home the Best International Debut (Men) award.
On the women’s side, Smriti Mandhana bagged the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for a record fifth time, Deepti Sharma was recognized as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs, and emerging spinner Sree Charani claimed the Best International Debut (Women) accolade.
The awards also celebrated India’s five recent World Cup-winning teams. The victorious Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 champions, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, were lauded alongside the Champions Trophy 2025 winners, led by Rohit Sharma and India’s U19 Men’s and Women’s World Cup teams, led by Ayush Mhatre and Niki Prasad, respectively. Each team received accolades for their stellar performances and contributions to Indian cricket’s golden era.
The ceremony featured reflections from the stars themselves. Sanju Samson, Player of the Tournament in India’s Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, said he still wakes up in disbelief but expects India’s talent pipeline to deliver more trophies in the future.
“With the quality of players coming through in India, this is going to be repeated more and more often,” he said.
Shubman Gill expressed his focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, noting that winning a global trophy remains the ultimate goal. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav credited the team’s stability, careful selection policies, and trust in a settled squad as key to India’s recent T20 World Cup success.
Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on the historic 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, calling it a dream come true for a generation of Indian women cricketers. She emphasized the transformation of women’s cricket in India, thanks to platforms like the Women’s Premier League, which have created unprecedented opportunities for young talent.
From honoring cricketing legends to celebrating contemporary heroes and rising stars, the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 highlighted India’s remarkable journey across formats and generations.
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