MUMBAI: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was adjudged the CEAT International Cricket of the Year at an awards ceremony in the city on Monday, for an outstanding 2017-18 season across the three formats of the game.
Flamboyant opening batsman, Shikhar Dhawan won the CEAT International Batsman of the Year Award, reflecting India’s dominance in world cricket.
Amongst other Indians, young batting sensation Shubman Gill won the CEAT Under-19 Player of the Year Award for his contribution in India’s Under-19 World Cup win earlier this year in New Zealand and his season with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2018. Karnataka’s Mayank Agarwal was named the CEAT Domestic Player of the Year for a stellar Ranji Trophy season.
India’s top women’s cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur won the CEAT Outstanding Innings of the Year award for her incredible 115-ball 171* against Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in England.
Amongst overseas stars, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan was voted the CEAT T20 Bowler of the Year after a stellar season with the national side, leading them to victory in the ICC Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and impressing many during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
However, it was West Indies’ dashing batsman, Chris Gayle who won the CEAT Popular Choice Award and ensured that the audience was entertained at the event with his wit and antics.
Farokh Engineer, India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman in the 1960s, was presented with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award, gaining a standing ovation from the audience. In return, he credited Harsh Goenka, chairman of the RPG Group, for his contribution towards Indian sport and Sunil Gavaskar, one of his closest friends during his playing days, with his humour.
Engineer spoke about the transformation of Indian cricket from playing for Rs 50 per day during a Test match to the team conquering the world with there being no shortage of talent and passion.
Gavaskar, alongside legends Ian Chappell and Clive Lloyd, have been the pioneers of the CEAT Awards since 1995 to decide the ‘Best of the Best’ cricketers from the world through an objective points system.
Performance is rewarded the most, but what has made this award unique is the cash incentives that it offers as well to deserving players, according to Gavaskar.
The evening was brightened up with comedian Cyrus Broacha recalling his love for cricket during childhood and a stellar singing performance from anchor Shibani Dandekar, who hosted the show alongside Gaurav Kapur.
