The 2007-08 BCCI annual awards were presented to the cricketers in a glittering ceremony in Mumbai yesterday. The function was attended by current and former cricketers, women and junior cricketers at various levels.

Virender Sehwag received the Polly Umrigar Award for his outstanding performance with the bat last year. The award consists of the trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. Addressing everyone after receiving the trophy, Sehwag said that he always wanted to emulate his idol Sachin Tendulkar. He also said that he wants to win the BCCI cricketer of the year award like Sachin.

"I have always watched Sachin on TV and wanted to emulate him. It's a great honour to win this award, especially a year after my role model Tendulkar won it. It took me eight years to do so. My first award was the Castrol Award. I thank the BCCI for this honour," said Sehwag.

Gundappa Visvawath, the stylish right handed veteran was handed the CK Nayudu Life time Achievement award by Prashanth Manohar. The former India skipper told the audience that he considered the twin victories against West Indies and England in 1971 was his most cherish moment.

"I consider the 1971 tour under Ajit Wadekar of the West Indies and England as my best cricketing moments. Again we chased 400-plus and won (at Port of Spain in Trinidad in 1976) and I got a hundred which also is a special moment for me," the wristy right hander said.

MS Dhoni, who won the Padmashri and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award was felicitated with a special award. Also given a special award was Harbhajan Singh who had won the Padmashri award and reached the 300 wickets milestone.

Among the women cricketers, the Best Woman Cricketer award was given to former India captain Mithali Raj. M D Thirushkamini was the best Junior Woman Cricketer of the year.

List of the awardees:

CK Nayudu Award: G R Viswanath (Rs 15 lakhs)
Polly Umrigar Award: Virender Sehwag (Rs 5 lakh)
Madhavrao Scindia Award (Batsman): Cheteshwar Pujara
Madhavrao Scindia Award (Bowler): Sudeep Tyagi
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Under-15): Ankit Bawane (Maharashtra)
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Under-17): Mandeep Singh (Punjab)
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Under-19): Bhuvneshwar Kumar (UP)
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Under-22): Rahul Dewan (Delhi)
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Best Woman Cricketer): Mithali Raj
M A Chidambaram Trophy (Best Junior Woman Cricketer): M D Thirushkamini

Special Awards:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: For receiving Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri.
Harbhajan Singh: For taking 300 Test wickets and receiving the Padma Shri.
-C.K