Witnessing the magnificent aura of Mumbai Cricket Association’s annual awards

By K.R. Nayar
From Mumbai 

Mumbai is often considered as one of the strongest teams in domestic cricket. This city has produced numerous legends and won the most Ranji Trophy titles. Their ability to nurture talent, recognize and honor it through the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) annual awards, is a tradition they follow religiously. This unwavering devotion to encouraging all those who play and serve the game is undoubtedly one of the reasons behind their success.

Youngsters speak with pride about being recipients of a MCA award. Even cricketers who went on to become international stars often mention their MCA award when reflecting on their journey to fame. After a very long time, I found myself attending this annual event again. The last time I reported on this event was when I was with The Indian Express.

More than just players are honored

The MCA awards are not just presented to the best male and female cricketers but also to administrators, clubs, tournaments, and everyone who contributes to the growth of the game in Mumbai. This is the same award that once eluded a young Sachin Tendulkar, prompting Sunil Gavaskar to boost his spirits. Such awards inspire even those who fail to win, pushing them to try harder and eventually become legends of the game.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy 2023-24 winning team 

A grand ceremony at a prestigious venue

The award ceremony was held at the MCA Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy and Recreation Centre at BKC. Their outdoor cricket ground was colorfully decorated, and a red carpet welcomed members of Mumbai’s cricket fraternity, filling the venue with a sense of glamour and excitement akin to a Bollywood awards night.

Mumbai's Senior Women's T20 Trophy winners 

Meticulous planning and prestigious guests

The evening began with MCA President Ajinkya Naik addressing the large gathering. Naik, who became the youngest president in MCA’s history at 37, led a meticulously planned event, backed by the Apex Council members.

MCA President Ajinkya Naik addresses the gathering 

The reputation of this annual event was evident, with the chief guests being none other than His Excellency C.P. Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra) and Mr. Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra). 

His Excellency C.P. Radhakrishnan , Governor of Maharashtra, highlights the glory of Mumbai cricket

The Governor captivated the audience by recounting India’s glorious moments in world cricket and highlighting Mumbai players’ contributions to that journey. His remark that India, after winning the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, could even win over a Rest of the World team drew loud applause.

Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra 

Recognizing legends and administrators

Mumbai’s contribution to Indian cricket is unmatched, both in men’s and women’s cricket. This year, the Life-Time Achievement Award was presented to Dilip Vengsarkar and Diana Edulji. MCA also honored administrators Prof. Ratnakar Shetty and Pravin Barve with Life-Time Achievement Awards for their contributions in paving the way for cricketers by ensuring facilities and support.

Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, Diana Edulji and Pravin Barve honoured with Life-Time Achievement awards

Captivating audience with rich narratives

Masters of Ceremonies, Prasanna C. Sant and Ajit Bhure, enthralled the audience with insights into each award and its winners. MCA proudly presented the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 winners and the senior women’s T20 Trophy champions. 

Masters of Ceremonies, Prasanna C. Sant and Ajit Bhure

They also honored Mumbai teams that brought laurels by presenting trophies to winners and runners-up, including the Women’s Under-19 One Day Trophy (Winners), Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy (Runners-up), Vijay Merchant Trophy (Winners), West Zone Under-14 Trophy (Winners), Vinoo Mankad Trophy (Runners-up), and Cooch Behar Trophy (Runners-up). No wonder MCA’s shelves overflow with trophies every year!

Trumpeting the success of Mumbai cricket

A touching tribute

A particularly emotional moment was when the family of Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on March 3, 2025, was felicitated. Shivalkar, a spinner who played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy victories, unfortunately did not get the opportunity to represent India.

Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan felicitates Padmakar Shivalkar's family 

Trophies with a legacy

The MCA has instituted several prestigious awards that hold tales of their own. The Justice Tendolkar Trophy for the Best Senior Cricketer of the Year 2022-23 was awarded to Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal’s journey from living in a tent at Azad Maidan and selling pani puri to earning this recognition is nothing short of inspiring.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, winner of Justice Tendolkar Trophy for the Best Senior Cricketer of the Year 2022-23, given in absentia

Justice Tendolkar was a renowned judge of the Bombay High Court in the late 1950s. This prestigious trophy, has, in the past, been won by legends such as Ajit Wadekar (1965-66), Dilip Sardesai (1964-65), Sunil Gavaskar (1970-71), Dilip Vengsarkar (1979-80), Ravi Shastri (1984-85), and Sachin Tendulkar (1995-96). Padmakar Shivalkar too had won this award in 1971-72.

                     Rising star- Ayush Mhatre - with the  Shri L.P. Jai Award for the Best Junior Cricketer (Under-19) for 2023-24

The S.V. Rajadyaksha Trophy, awarded to the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy, was won by Ajinkya Rahane for the 2022-23 season. Rajadyaksha was a former secretary of the MCA.

Celebrating emerging stars and future legends

Sarfaraz Khan receives the Dattu Phadkar Award for the Best Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the Year 2022-23

When Sarfaraz Khan received the prestigious Dattu Phadkar Award for the Best Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the Year 2022-23, it made even overseas cricket enthusiasts like Shyam Bhatia and coach Gopal Jasapara in Dubai proud. Bhatia, after hearing of Sarfaraz’s exploits as a school cricketer, had awarded him a scholarship, while Jasapara had ensured he had the best training facilities in England.

Sarfaraz Khan shares the joy of success with his teammates

Sarfaraz’s younger brother, Musheer Khan, bagged the Special Prize for Outstanding Performance in Men’s U-23 for the 2022-23 season, while Prithvi Shaw received a special prize for the fastest century in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23.

Prithvi Shaw receieves the fastest century in Ranji Trophy award 

Awards that inspire and recognize every contribution

The variety of award categories is something all cricket associations around the world can learn from. For instance, the Best Performing Team in Local Tournaments (2023-24) was awarded to Victory Cricket Club, which had won almost nine Mumbai tournaments. Even tournament organizers were recognized—Best Senior Tournament Organisers (2023-24) went to Police Shield, and Best Junior Tournament Organisers (2023-24) went to the Colts Inter School Tournament. 

Mumbai's Schools tournament has been the launch pad for many cricket legends

The Karnataka Sporting Association received a special award for providing their ground for the maximum number of MCA matches in 2023-24. Bombay Gymkhana, which hosted India’s first ever Test match against England in 1933 and and is marching towards its 150th year, was also felicitated. 

Acknowledging the historic contributions from Bombay Gymkhana

Supporting grassroots Cricket

Fifteen winners of the Sharad Pawar Scholarship were introduced to the audience. Few may know that Pawar had donated ₹35 lakhs, the remuneration he received as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and MCA added another ₹15 lakhs to create a ₹50-lakh fund for this cause.

The Sharad Pawar Scholarship winners

Spotlight on future stars

It was inspiring to see so many awardees who may soon be the talk of Indian cricket. Among them was off-spinner and all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who was added to India’s Test squad during the Australian tour after R. Ashwin’s sudden retirement. He received the Dattu Phadkar Award for the Best Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the Year 2023-24.

Tanush Kotian with the Dattu Phadkar Award for the Best Ranji Trophy Cricketer of the Year 2023-24

A tall and lanky Prince Badiani won the Late Shri B. Banerjee Award for the Best Fast Bowler (Under-19) for the 2022-23 season, while Sanika Chalke bagged the Best Junior Cricketer (Women’s) for both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Even a Grassroots Champion Award, also known as the Glory of Maidan Cricket award, was presented to Gopal Koli and Madhukar Mohol for their decades of coaching.

Sanika Chalke won the Best Junior Cricketer (Women’s) for both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons

A night to remember

The award ceremony concluded after nearly 30 individual awards were presented across various categories, leaving everyone inspired and motivated for the future.

Shams Mujani bagged the award for the most number of wickets in Ranji Trophy

Acknowledging years of contribution and dedication 

Prince Badiani won the Late Shri B. Banerjee Award for the Best Fast Bowler

Glory of Maidan Cricket award was presented to Gopal Koli and Madhukar Mohol for their decades of coaching

A night to remember for the huge gathering