Thaindian News

Chennai, Dec 10 (IANS) Presented the Polly Umrigar Award in recognition of the 1,285 runs with six centuries he made from 15 Tests between October 2010 and September 2011, Rahul Dravid Saturday attributed his performance to “hard work”.

Dravid, who was not present at the awards function here when his parents received the trophy, said in a video message: “I think a lot of my good performance is down to the hard work I put in. I think it has all paid off this year.”

“It was a mixed year with the disappointment in South African and the England and West Indies series. But it is an honour to be recognized by your own Board for being the best player of the year.”

Former India captain Ajit Wadekar was bestowed the Col C.K. Nayudu Lifetime achievement award to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the landmark tours of 1971 when he led the team to series wins in the West Indies and England.

Wadekar, who collected the award from BCCI president N. Srinivasan, said: “I am overwhelmed. I really don’t know if I am worthy of this award. I was the 12th man in my college cricket team. I was carrying drinks for them, that’s how I got into the team!”

Sachin Tendulkar, currently in Australia preparing for the forthcoming tour, paid rich tributes to Wadekar, saying: “He understood the player’s psyche. It is important for any coach to get the best out of players. He was good at man management. Thank you for everything you have done for me and the Indian team.”

Other award winners were:

Subramaniam Badrinath (TNCA, Highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy 2010-11) - 922 runs at a rate of 131.71 in nine matches, inclusive of four centuries and three half centuries) - Madhavrao Scindia Award.

Bhargav Bhatt (Baroda CA, Highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2010-11) - 47 wickets at an average of 21.57 in nine matches, inclusive of four 5WI and one 10WM - Madhavrao Scindia Award.

Vijay Zol (Maharashtra CA, Best Under-16 cricketer of the year 2010-11) - 858 runs, average 85.8 in seven matches, inclusive of four centuries and two half-centuries - M.A. Chidambaram Trophy.

Avi Barot (Gujarat CA, Best Under-19 cricketer, 2010-11) - 971 runs, av 88.27 in seven matches, inclusive of four centuries and three half-centuries - M.A. Chidambaram Trophy.

Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai CA, Best Under-22 Cricketer, 2010-11) - 721 runs, av 80.11 in seven matches, inclusive of two centuries and four half centuries - M.A. Chidambaram Trophy.

Jhulan Goswami (Bengal CA, Best woman cricketer of 2010-11) - 21 wickets, av 7.62 in eight matches, inclusive of one 5WI - M.A. Chidambaram Trophy.

Mona Meshram (Vidarbha CA, Best junior woman cricketer 2010-11) - 623 runs, av 103.83 in eight matches, inclusive of one century and five half centuries - M.A. Chidambaram Trophy.

S. Ravi - Best Umpire in Domestic cricket 2010-11

Ishant Sharma (Best Indian Cricketer of 2011 Test Series in West Indies) - 22 wickets, av 16.8 from three Tests, inclusive of two 5WIs and one 10WM) - Dilip Sardesai Award.

Ravichandran Ashwin (India’s Best Cricketer in the 2012 Test series against the West Indies) - 22 wickets from three Tests, maiden Test hundred - Dilip Sardesai Award.

Iqbal Abdulla (Mumbai CA, Best all-rounder in Ranji Trophy 2010-11) - 385 runs and 27 wickets from 8 matches - Lala Amarnath Award.

Sumit Narwal (Delhi DCA, Best all-rounder in the Domestic Tournaments 2010-11) - 163 runs and 13 wickets from 6 matches - Lala Amarth Award.

Railways Sports Promotion Board and Delhi and District Cricket Association - Best Overall Performance in 2010-11.