Sachin Tendulkar to get BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award

Legendary former batter Sachin Tendulkar, whose records and impact on international cricket have stood the test of time, will be conferred with the BCCI's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board's annual gala in Mumbai on Saturday. Overall, Tendulkar will be the 31st recipient of the award, which was instituted in 1994 in the honour of India's first captain Col. C K Nayudu. The 51-year-old Tendulkar, who played 664 international games for India, holds the record for the highest number of Test and ODI runs in the history of the game. With 200 Test appearances and 463 One-Day International matches to his name, he remains the player with the highest number of matches played in both formats.Tendulkar’s career statistics are equally astonishing, amassing 15,921 runs in Test cricket and 18,426 runs in ODIs. His record in international cricket is unmatched, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players of all time. Despite his extensive career, Tendulkar only played one T20 International match, focusing predominantly on the longer formats of the game.
In 2023, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to former India head coach Ravi Shastri and wicket-keeping legend Farokh Engineer, adding to the list of cricketing greats celebrated by the BCCI. Tendulkar's recognition continues to acknowledge his lasting impact on the game, cementing his legacy as one of cricket's most revered figures.This will be another honourable award for the Mumbai-born who has received award not only the cricketing boards but the government as well which include the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Maharashtra Bhushan, Khel Ratna Award, and Arjuna Award.
Apart from Tendulkar, India speedter Jasprit Bumrah will also receive the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for his phenomenal performances in 2024. Bumrah is currently ranked number 1 in ICC Test rankings picking 71 wickets in 13 Tests last year, the highest by any bowler in the last year. He was awarded Player of the Series for his iconic performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 picking 32 wickets. He was also awarded Player of the Tournament for his 15 wickets at an astonishing average of 8.26 and an economy of just 4.17 as India lifted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana who is currently in the form of her life is set to receive the Best International Cricketer in the women’s category for the fourth time. This will be the fourth time that Smriti has been conferred with that award. She previously won the award in 2017-18, 2020-21, and 2021-22 seasons - and finished 2024 with ODI centuries against New Zealand, and Australia, and two consecutive centuries against South Africa.