Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma Shine in BCCI Awards for Outstanding International Cricket Performances

In a celebration of cricket excellence, Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma have been honored with the prestigious BCCI awards for the best men’s and women’s international cricketers of the 2022-23 season. Gill secured the Polly Umrigar award for the first time in his career, showcasing his meteoric rise in international cricket, while Deepti claimed the women’s award for the second time, adding to her previous accolade in the 2019-20 season.

The BCCI, after a hiatus since the 2018-19 season, has now caught up, announcing winners for the past four seasons in one sweep. The roll of honor includes Mohammed Shami and Deepti for 2019-20, R Ashwin and Smriti Mandhana for 2020-21, and Jasprit Bumrah and Mandhana again for 2021-22.

Shubman Gill’s exceptional performance in the 2022-23 season, spanning from October 1 to September 30, elevated him from a promising talent to an international superstar. His outstanding contributions with the bat, especially in ODIs, saw him amass a world-leading total of 1418 runs at an impressive average of 64.45. Gill’s remarkable run included five centuries, including a double-century against New Zealand in Hyderabad. Additionally, he contributed 387 runs in seven Tests and 304 runs in 11 T20Is during the same period.

Deepti Sharma played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign, winning the Women’s Asia Cup and securing the Asian Games gold medal in a T20I-packed year. As an offspinner, Deepti claimed 38 wickets in T20Is, the fifth-highest globally and the most by a bowler from a Full Member nation, with an average of 14.81 and an economy rate of 5.71. She also showcased her batting prowess, scoring 313 runs with two half-centuries at an average of 28.45. Deepti continued her stellar form into the 2023-24 home season, contributing significantly as India triumphed over England and Australia in one-off Tests in Mumbai.

In a fitting tribute to his illustrious cricket career, former India allrounder Ravi Shastri received the BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Renowned for his versatility as a batter and left-arm finger spinner, Shastri amassed 3830 Test runs at an average of 35.79 and claimed 151 wickets at 40.96. Post his playing career, Shastri seamlessly transitioned into TV commentary, becoming an incisive voice and later achieving success as the coach of India’s men’s team from 2014 to 2016 and 2017 to 2021. Under his guidance, India achieved unprecedented success, notably winning series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.