BCCI annual awards in pictures

Mumbai turned into a star-studded affair with the BCCI annual awards. Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani was presented with the prestigious Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian cricket while Test captain Virat Kohli bagged the Polly Umrigar Trophy for Cricketer of the Year.

The 66-year-old former India cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad was presented the award by BCCI president Shashank Manohar. Kirmani, who was also given the award of citation, trophy and Rs 25 lakh, took a mild dig at modern wicketkeepers when asked about the difference from his time to the present day. “These days it’s not about wicket keeping techniques but just about producing results. Dhoni has been able to do it,” he said before praising the limited overs skipper, who was in the audience and grinning: “Good job, Dhoni.”

Kohli stressed on making it count in Australia. “It is important to start the year well and we were able to do so in Australia. I compliment the entire team. It was the greatest moment of my career so far and would probably remain so,” he said.

Talking about the great chase the team made in Adelaide before falling short narrowly, Kohli said, “Some days you bat like a man possessed. All I had in my head was the target of 367,” he said. Talking about the knock of 107 against Pakistan in the subsequent World Cup, the Delhi stalwart said that on the morning of the match when he woke up he saw 3000 people on the bridge that connected the hotel to the stadium with musical instruments and flags. “There was such a frenzy and it struck me that I am going to play in front of these guys in three hours. I challenged myself to do it and I was able to do it,” Kohli remarked.

Here are some of the pictures from the BCCI Awards night:

1. Ajinkya Rahane after the event.

. @ajinkyarahane88 gives a thumbs up before boarding the flight to Australia #AusvsIND pic.twitter.com/ksjkEVupjX

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2016

2. Robin Uthappa receives the domestic Cricketer of the Year Award.

BCCI award a motivating factor, @robbieuthappa tells @PrajPP #BCCIawardshttps://t.co/PPJQxoDMwZ pic.twitter.com/XqKFgRITcI

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2016

3. Virat Kohli takes a selfie with his award. 

Polly Umrigar award for the 2nd time Thank You @BCCI for finding me worthy of the award. Feeling humbled & grateful pic.twitter.com/mfAbQpDfJr

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 5, 2016

4. Vinay Kumar receives an award for being the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy.

.@Vinay_Kumar_R keen on making an India comeback. Interview by @Moulinparikh https://t.co/yYol6Kl8qq pic.twitter.com/jNNPa0UvoM

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2016

5. Shikhar Dhawan clicks a picture with a security personal.

#TeamIndia opener @SDhawan25 is all smiles before leaving for Australia #AusvIND pic.twitter.com/InOgLEeWla

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2016

6. ODI & T20I skipper MS Dhoni and Test captain Virat Kohli during the event.

#TeamIndia Captains – @msdhoni and @imVkohli at the #BCCIawards pic.twitter.com/zPCJkyKUNF

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2016

7. Syed Kirmani receives the Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

#BCCIawards: Syed Kirmani to donate 25 per cent of BCCI prize money towards girls' education in India. pic.twitter.com/WsOX72IEvw

— XtraTime (@greymind43) January 6, 2016