Hyderabad: Indian opener Shubman Gill is slated to be honored with the Cricketer of the Year award at the upcoming Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awards ceremony. The prestigious awards function is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad ahead of the 1st Test between India and England on Tuesday. Notably, this marks the first occurrence of the BCCI awards since 2019.
Gill’s exceptional performance during the 2023 season has earned him the coveted recognition. The dynamic batter achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the fastest player to surpass the 2000-run milestone in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His prolific form in the 50-over format saw him secure five centuries, establishing himself as a key figure in India’s batting lineup.
In addition to his ODI exploits, Gill made a significant impact in Test cricket, claiming the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, dethroning Pakistan’s Babar Azam. This accomplishment places him in the illustrious company of Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, who have previously topped the ICC batting rankings in ODIs.
The BCCI awards ceremony will witness the presence of both Team India and England members. The award for Cricketer of the Year is a fitting acknowledgment of Gill’s outstanding contributions to Indian cricket. Moreover, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri is set to be honored with the BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the event, adding another layer of prestige to the ceremony.