Mumbai Cricket Association Honors Legends with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Celebrating Cricket Excellence in Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 20: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) recently honored cricket icons Dilip Vengsarkar and Diana Edulji with the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing their significant contributions to the sport. Both Vengsarkar and Edulji have played vital roles in the development of cricket in Mumbai and India, excelling as players and administrators.

The awards were presented during a grand Annual Awards Function at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy and Recreation Centre in BKC, Mumbai. This event also celebrated the cricketing achievements of the city and acknowledged the top performers from the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, as stated in an MCA release.

In attendance were His Excellency C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra, along with Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology & Cultural Affairs, and MCA President Ajinkya Naik, among other Apex Council members.

Governor Radhakrishnan commended the MCA for fostering young talent, stating, “India is now capable of defeating any team, and the Association plays an important role in this. We need to provide quality training facilities, modern coaching, and proper grounds so that young athletes from smaller towns can excel in cricket. Talent knows no boundaries.”

Ashish Shelar expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “This is a special day that we all look forward to every year. Today, we honor talented players from our Mumbai family, who showcase their skills at various tournaments. It is because of their talent, hard work, and dedication that the Mumbai Cricket Association is scaling new heights every day at the national level. I congratulate all the winners for their achievements.”

Vengsarkar, a key player in the 1983 World Cup-winning team, captained India in 10 Tests and 18 ODIs, later serving as MCA Vice-President and Chairman of BCCI’s Selection Committee. Edulji, whose international career spanned over 17 years, was instrumental in promoting women’s cricket in India.

Additionally, former MCA Vice-President Ratnakar Shetty and Pravin Barve received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their exceptional contributions to cricket administration.

MCA President Ajinkya Naik remarked, “These awards are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and excellence that define Mumbai cricket. Dilip Vengsarkar and Diana Edulji have been true legends, and their contributions to both Mumbai and Indian cricket have been phenomenal. Similarly, Ratnakar Shetty and Pravin Barve have played pivotal roles in shaping Mumbai’s cricket legacy. We are proud to honor them with MCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. I also congratulate all the award winners for their outstanding performances.”

Standout individual award winners included Ajinkya Rahane, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Sayali Satghare, and Sanika Chalke.

The MCA also celebrated the success of the Ajinkya Rahane-led Ranji Trophy champions and other Mumbai teams for their impressive performances in domestic tournaments during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Furthermore, they awarded the Sharad Pawar Scholarship to 15 exceptional young players, supporting their cricket aspirations and encouraging them to shine in the sport.