The BCCI Naman Awards took center stage in Mumbai on Saturday, (February 1, 2025) bringing together India’s finest cricketing talents to honor their exceptional contributions to the sport.
The prestigious annual event witnessed the presence of renowned cricketers from both the domestic and international circuits, including Indian men’s team captain Rohit Sharma, who was among the star attractions of the evening. The event celebrated the achievements of players across various categories, recognizing their outstanding performances over the past year.
Rohit Sharma’s hilarious banter with Smriti Mandhana
One of the most entertaining moments of the evening came during a fun interaction between Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and Rohit, with Hardik Pandya and Jemimah Rodrigues also joining the conversation. Mandhana, known for her quick wit, playfully asked Rohit about any new hobby he had picked up recently and whether his teammates had been teasing him about it. Rohit, in his signature humorous style, responded:
“I don’t know. They tease me about forgetting. It’s not a hobby obviously, but since you spoke about teasing, this is what they tease me about – when I forget my wallet, I forget my passport – which is absolutely not true.”
Rohit’s lighthearted response sent the audience into fits of laughter. However, Mandhana wasn’t done yet. She pressed further, asking:
“What’s the biggest thing you have forgotten?”
At first, Rohit hesitated, seemingly wary of the repercussions of his answer. Then, with a mischievous grin, he replied:
“I can’t say that. I mean, if this is coming live, my wife will be watching. I would keep it to myself.”
As the audience erupted in laughter, Hardik jumped in with a witty remark:
“He (Rohit) makes sure around his seat he has not forgotten something.”
The playful exchange highlighted the camaraderie between India’s top cricketers, adding a delightful touch to the prestigious evening.
Here’s the video:
Don’t 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 to watch this 😎
Smriti Mandhana tries to find out the one hobby that Rohit Sharma has picked up recently, which his teammates tease him about 😃#NamanAwards | @ImRo45 | @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/9xZomhnJjy
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2025
Also READ: Shreyanka Patil reveals what she’d love to steal from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Smriti Mandhana
Major winners at the BCCI Naman Awards 2025
While the event had its share of entertaining moments, the main highlight was the recognition of the best performers in Indian cricket. Mandhana emerged as the most decorated cricketer of the night, bagging multiple awards for her consistent brilliance.
Women’s Cricket Award Winners:
- Best International Cricketer (Women) – Smriti Mandhana
- Highest Runs in One Day Internationals (Women) – Smriti Mandhana
- Best International Debut (Women) – Asha Sobhana
- Highest Wickets in One Day Internationals (Women) – Deepti Sharma
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Junior Domestic) – Ishwari Awasare (Maharashtra)
- Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Senior Domestic) – Priya Mishra (Delhi)
Smriti Mandhana’s dominance in women’s cricket was evident as she continued to shine on the international stage, further cementing her reputation as one of the finest batters in the game. Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma‘s contributions with the ball were duly acknowledged, and Asha Sobhana was recognized for her impressive international debut.
Also READ: Women’s Premier League: Complete schedule for WPL 2025; Royal Challengers Bengaluru will battle Gujarat Giants in the opener
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.