Star Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer made headlines for his gracious act of sportsmanship at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards held in Mumbai on August 21. Shreyas Iyer, known for his impressive performances and leadership qualities, was spotted giving up his seat to India captain Rohit Sharma during the ceremony. The moment, captured in a viral video, showcased Shreyas Iyer’s respect and camaraderie for his captain, leaving Rohit Sharma visibly amused. Despite Shreyas Iyer’s gesture, Rohit Sharma insisted that Shreyas Iyer keep his seat and instead took a place one row behind, highlighting the mutual respect between the two cricketers.
The awards event saw a congregation of cricketing greats, with several players being honored for their exceptional performances over the past year. Rohit Sharma was celebrated as the Men’s International Cricketer of the Year. His leadership and prolific batting, which saw him score heavily throughout the year, earned him this prestigious accolade. Rohit Sharma’s standout performances included a remarkable campaign during the ODI World Cup 2023, where he scored 765 runs in 11 innings at an average of 95.62, including three centuries and six half-centuries.
Shreyas Iyer, who also received recognition at the event, was awarded for Outstanding Leadership in the IPL. Under his captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third IPL title in a decade by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and strategic acumen were key to KKR’s success, further solidifying his reputation as a top leader in domestic cricket.
In addition to the honors for Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli was named ODI Batter of the Year. Kohli had a stellar year, accumulating 1,377 runs from 24 innings at an average of 72.47, with six centuries and eight fifties. His performances, both in ODIs and the World Cup, underscored his status as one of the premier batsmen in international cricket.
Mohammed Shami was recognized as the Men’s ODI Bowler of the Year. Shami’s exceptional performance in the ODI World Cup saw him finish as the highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 wickets from seven innings with an average of 10.70 and an economy rate of 5.26.
The ceremony also honored former India head coach Rahul Dravid with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Indian cricket. Other notable winners included Ravichandran Ashwin, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, each celebrated for their outstanding performances and contributions to the sport.
