Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the prestigious BCCI Special Award at the Naman Awards 2025 in Mumbai on Saturday, recognizing his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket. Meanwhile, young right-handed batter Sarfaraz Khan was named the Best International Debutant for his impactful entry into the Indian Test side.
One of the finest all-rounders in international cricket with a career decorated with class, consistency and commitment! 👏👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2025
Congratulations to Ravichandran Ashwin for winning the BCCI Special Award 🏆#NamanAwards | @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/QNHx4TAkdo
The BCCI Awards, established in 2006-07, celebrate outstanding performances in Indian cricket across various formats. This year, Ashwin was recognized for his distinguished career, which was defined by consistency, class, and commitment. One of the finest all-rounders in the history of international cricket, Ashwin announced his retirement after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
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Ashwin leaves behind an exceptional legacy in Indian cricket. In his 106-Test career, he took 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 7/59. He also recorded 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls, making him the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history and the second-highest for India, only behind Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets. His tally of five-wicket hauls is the second-most in Tests, trailing only Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan.
With the bat, Ashwin contributed significantly as well, scoring 3,503 runs in 151 innings at an average of 25.75, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a highest score of 124. His impact extended to the limited-overs formats, where he played 116 ODIs, picking up 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. Across all formats, Ashwin took 765 wickets in 287 matches, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker after Kumble (953). He was also a key member of India’s ICC Cricket World Cup-winning squad in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy-winning team in 2013.
Sarfaraz Khan, on the other hand, received the Best International Debut award for his impressive start to international cricket. After making a name for himself in first-class cricket, Sarfaraz debuted for India in the five-match home series against England. He started strongly with back-to-back half-centuries, making an immediate impact at the highest level. However, his performances have been inconsistent since then, with a highlight being his 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru. In six Tests, he has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three half-centuries.
His first appearance with India made a lasting impression! 😎
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2025
Presenting the winner of Best International Debut – Men
And it goes to #TeamIndia batter Sarfaraz Khan 👏👏#NamanAwards pic.twitter.com/bHxo9UxI5y
The young batter is yet to play a Test match outside India, and questions remain about his adaptability to fast and bouncy pitches, especially in conditions like Australia. His next challenge will be proving himself on foreign soil as India looks to build a strong middle order.
The BCCI Awards 2025 also recognized several other cricketers for their outstanding performances. Some of the major awards included:
- Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award (Men): Sachin Tendulkar
- Polly Umrigar Award – Best International Cricketer (Men): Jasprit Bumrah
- Best International Cricketer (Women): Smriti Mandhana
- Best International Debut (Women): Asha Sobhana
- Highest Run-Getter in ODIs (Women): Smriti Mandhana
- Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs (Women): Deepti Sharma
- Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments: Mumbai
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