Dilip Vengsarkar has received the prestigious BCCI-instituted Col. C K Nayudu Lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Indian cricket.
"I thank BCCI for this honour. Looking at the names of players who have won the award makes me proud to be part of this select group," said the former captain, who received the award from Board's interim president Shivlal Yadav.
The 58-year-old played 116 Test matches after coming into national prominence with a belligerent hundred for Mumbai against the Rest of India in the Irani Cup game at the start of the 1975-76 season.
He was a member of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 1983 and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985, and he led India in ten Tests in 1987-89. He was Chairman of the BCCI's Talent Research Development Committee for three years, and the Chairman of the All-India Senior Selection Committee for the period, 2006-08.
Vengsarkar also wished the Indian cricket team success in the upcoming tour of Australia for which the team departed on Friday night as well as in the World Cup that follows.
Meanwhile, medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar received the Polly Umrigar award and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh for his superb display with the ball and bat.
Kumar has been consistent with the ball and the bat all through the season, and was one of the success stories to emerge from what was otherwise a disappointing tour of England.
"It's a great feeling to get the award. It will motivate me to do better," said Kumar.
Rohit Sharma received a special award for slamming a world record 264 in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka in the recent series.
It was Rohit's second double hundred in an ODI, after his 209 against Australia in Bangalore last year.
Bhuvneshwar and Rohit are both members of the squad that left for Australia.
© 2024 Rediff.com -