Jasprit Bumrah to receive Polly Umrigar Award

Mumbai: India’s pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah will receive the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer (2018-19) at the BCCI Annual Awards, scheduled to be held here later on Sunday evening.

The world no1 ODI bowler made his Test debut during India’s tour of South Africa in January 2018 and hasn’t looked back since.

He picked up a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia and the West Indies becoming the first and only Asian bowler to achieve the feat. He played a stellar role in the historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia that helped India retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

While Bumrah nets the biggest prize in the men’s category, Poonam Yadav claims the top prize in women’s category and will be awarded the best international cricketer (women).

The award will be another feather in the leg spinner’s cap who recently received the Arjuna Award by President Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion of National Sports Day last year. Poonam, ranked second in T20Is, is country’s leading wicket-taker in the format.

Meanwhile, former India captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Anjum Chopra will be presented with Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women respectively. (UNI)