Indian cricketers Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were among the prominent recipients at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Annual Awards, held on January 23, 2024, in Hyderabad. Gill was awarded the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2022-23 season, recognizing his consistent performance across formats. Mandhana made history by receiving her fifth overall BCCI honour, a first for any Indian woman cricketer.

The ceremony, which returned after a four-year hiatus, celebrated the achievements of both men's and women's cricket for various seasons spanning from 2019-20 to 2022-23. The awards aim to acknowledge and encourage excellence within Indian cricket. Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and legendary wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer were also honoured with the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for their significant contributions to the sport.

Shubman Gill's Polly Umrigar Award for the 2022-23 season highlights a period of significant growth and scoring prowess. During this timeframe, Gill established himself as a multi-format player for India, achieving centuries in all three formats of international cricket. His performances included a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand and a century in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Sri Lanka, underscoring his emergence as a key batter for the national side. The Polly Umrigar Award is considered the pinnacle individual male honour from the BCCI for international performance.

Smriti Mandhana's achievement of a fifth BCCI honour underscores her consistent excellence and leadership in women's cricket. The dynamic left-handed opener has been a cornerstone of the Indian women's team for several years, known for her aggressive yet elegant batting style. Her repeated recognition by the BCCI reflects her sustained impact and performance at the international level, establishing a new benchmark for individual accolades in women's cricket.

Key recognitions and milestones from the BCCI Annual Awards included:

  • Polly Umrigar Award (Best International Cricketer - Men):
    • Shubman Gill (2022-23)
    • Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22)
    • Ravichandran Ashwin (2020-21)
    • Mohammed Shami (2019-20)
  • Best International Cricketer (Women):
    • Smriti Mandhana (2022-23)
    • Deepti Sharma (2021-22)
    • Smriti Mandhana (2020-21)
    • Deepti Sharma (2019-20)
  • Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award:
    • Ravi Shastri
    • Farokh Engineer
  • Best International Debut (Men):
    • Yashasvi Jaiswal (2022-23)
    • Sarfaraz Khan (2021-22)
    • Axar Patel (2020-21)
    • Mayank Agarwal (2019-20)
  • Best International Debut (Women):
    • Amanjot Kaur (2022-23)

The ceremony, attended by current and former cricketers, BCCI officials, and dignitaries, served as an affirmation of the talent and dedication within Indian cricket. The recognition of these athletes and veterans is expected to motivate future generations of cricketers as India continues to be a dominant force in the global cricketing landscape.