The event also acknowledged several Mumbai-based players and coaches for their contributions to India’s recent global successes. Young batter Ayush Mhatre was honored for leading India’s U-19 team to a record-extending sixth World Cup title earlier this year in South Africa, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu.
India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube were recognized for their pivotal roles in the team’s historic third T20 World Cup title. In addition, Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar, and bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi received accolades for their contributions to India’s first ODI World Cup victory last year.
Sanika Chalke from the Under-19 women’s World Cup-winning squad was also honored. “Mumbai’s stronghold in domestic cricket during the 2024–25 season was further demonstrated as MCA celebrated its champion teams that secured major titles, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Under-14 West Zone Championship, Under-23 Women’s One-Day Trophy, Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-16), and the Women’s Under-15 One-Day Trophy, emphasizing the association’s continued excellence across various age groups and formats,” the MCA stated in a release.
The ceremony saw attendance from legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Rajeev Kulkarni, Diana Edulji, and Maharashtra cabinet ministers Ashish Shelar and Aditi Tatkare, alongside MCA president Ajinkya Naik and members of the governing body’s apex council.
Vengsarkar encouraged the young players to contribute to Mumbai’s cricketing success. “Mumbai has a rich cricketing tradition, from the Harris Shield and Giles Shield to U-19 and inter-collegiate tournaments, which has long acted as a talent pipeline,” Vengsarkar stated.
“It continues to nurture players who represent the future of Mumbai and Indian cricket. I hope all of you strive to play for India. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t participate in the IPL, as it holds its own significance, but you must also focus on contributing to Mumbai’s achievements,” he added. The ceremony also honored several other cricketers and administrators with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
“Shobha Pandit (cricketer) and Shrikant Tigdi (administrator) were honored for 2025–26, while Chandrakant Patankar (cricketer) and Ravindra Savant (administrator) received accolades for 2024–25, recognizing their decades of dedication to Mumbai cricket,” MCA announced.
“These accomplishments are not just milestones; they are benchmarks for the future. Our focus remains sharp, to fortify this ecosystem, enhance performance, and ensure the next generation carries this legacy forward on an even greater scale,” Naik said.
(With PTI inputs)
