As the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honoured top performers from recent seasons\u00a0in an award ceremony, Vengsarkar highlighted the strength of the city\u2019s grassroots structure.<\/p>\n
\u201cMumbai has a strong cricketing ecosystem \u2014 from the Harris Shield and Giles Shield to U-19 and inter-collegiate tournaments \u2014 which has long served as a supply line for talent,\u201d\u00a0Vengsarkar said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt continues to produce players who are the future of Mumbai and Indian cricket. I hope you all play for India. I am not saying that you shouldn\u2019t play the IPL as it is also important, but you must contribute to Mumbai\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ceremony, attended by Sunil Gavaskar, former MCA chief Ashish Shelar and Maharashtra minister Aditi Tatkare, saw Shardul Thakur and Siddhesh Lad named Best Cricketer for 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively.<\/p>\n
Vrushali Bhagat won the Best Senior Women\u2019s Cricketer award (2024\u201325), while Sayali Satghare was honoured for the 2025\u201326 season.\u00a0India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre and Abhigyan Kundu were also felicitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecial thanks to MCA for backing me at a young age and supporting our U-19 World Cup win,\u201d Mhatre said.\u00a0Reflecting on his\u00a0development as a player, he added, \u201cBatting in the maidans of Mumbai is difficult. Practising in the maidans helped me\u00a0perform\u00a0at the higher levels. I love playing in Cross Maidan, Sivaji Park, and Oval Maidan\u00a0\u2014 they\u2019ve shaped my game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jemimah Rodrigues was honoured for India\u2019s Women\u2019s ODI World Cup triumph, alongside coaches Amol Muzumdar and Aavishkar Salvi. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube also received special awards.<\/p>\n
Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Chandrakant Patankar and Shobha Pandit, with both receiving Rs 10 lakh each.<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 22, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n