Vishy 'thrilled' at Lifetime honour

The former Indian captain will receive Rs five lakh and a trophy at the awards function in Mumbai on September 17.

“I am thrilled. Last year, when I got the lifetime achievement award from the BCCI, I was on top of the world. I was happy that I had joined a list comprising some great names of the game. I feel the same now,” he said.

The earlier award winners in this category include Vijay Hazare, Polly Umrigar, BS Chandrasekhar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Erapalli Prasanna.

Vishy added that the sponsors’ move to honour performing youngsters at the domestic level had made the award an endearing one for him.

“The sponsor of this specific award also honours achievements in domestic cricket. It feels great to join those youngsters at this stage of my life. I wish they also achieve a lot in their career and go on to receive the same award,” he added.

Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will get the Junior Cricketer of the Year award. Jadeja gets the award for his all-round display in the 2008-09 edition of the Ranji Trophy, in which he scored 729 runs and grabbed 42 wickets.

He was the highest wicket-taker in the competition, will receive a trophy and a cheque for Rs one lakh.

The other categories, whose winners will be declared later, include the Test Cricketer of the Year 2008, ODI Cricketer of the Year, Batsman of the Year and Bowler of the Year 2008.