So it does count if you do really well in first-class cricket. In a welcome announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will award left-arm spinners Rajinder Goel and Padmakar Shivalkar the CK Nayudu Trophy, which is the men’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Goel and Shivalkar took 750 and 637 wickets respectively but never played internationally, with Bishan Singh Bedi the standout first choice in the Indian team.
But that’s not all.
The BCCI has also introduced a Lifetime Achievement Award for women cricketers, with former Indian skipper Shanta Rangaswamy set to be its first recipient. Rangaswamy scored 750 runs in 16 Tests played between 1976 and 1991. She also took 21 wickets at an average of 31.61. In ODIs, her record is 287 runs and 12 wickets in 19 matches.
Happy Birthday Rajinder Goel, the man who took the most wickets (637) in Ranji Trophy but never got a chance to play for India. pic.twitter.com/HOOSXbJJ2Y
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) September 20, 2016
Goel played 157 first-class matches for Haryana and boasted a fantastic average of 18.58. Bombay’s Shivalkar meanwhile, had an average of 19.69 in 124 matches.
“The committee (Col. CK Nayudu Awards Committee) consisting of Mr N Ram, Mr Ramachandra Guha and Ms Diana Edulji believed that BCCI needs to recognise the services rendered by Mr Goel and Mr Shivalkar who were not fortunate enough to play for India,” a BCCI press release said.
“Better late than never. Der aaye durust aaye. I am grateful to BCCI for bestowing me this honour. My contribution in Indian cricket has been acknowledged,” a happy Goel told PTI on Tuesday, before recalling how they used to get paid for Rs 15 for three days of play.
Former Tamil Nadu spinner VV Kumar and the late ex-India pacer Ramakant Desai have been nominated for the BCCI Special Award.
The three achievers will receive their award on 8 March in Bengaluru.
Feature image source: Twitter
