Dilip Vengsarkar 'honoured' to receive CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar said he was 'honoured' to be chosen as the recipient of this year's Col. C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted by the BCCI.

"I feel honoured that I have been chosen for the C K Nayudu award which I guess, is the highest award for cricket in India. I am grateful to the BCCI," Vengsarkar told PTI.

The 116-Test veteran and former national chief selector was - incidentally - nicknamed 'Colonel' for the manner in which he batted which reminded people of India's first Test captain - Nayudu.

Vengsarkar was nominated for the award by a committee comprising senior media personality Shekhar Gupta, BCCI's interim president Shivlal Yadav and its Honorary Secretary Sanjay Patel.

The 58-year-old stylish, right-handed batsman, is set to receive the honour at the Board's annual awards function, scheduled on November 21, at Mumbai, ahead of the Indian cricket team's departure for its lengthy tour of Australia.

The award comprises a citation, trophy and a cheque of Rs 25 lakhs.

Vengsarkar is the 19th person nominated by the BCCI for the prestigious award.

The former India captain came into national prominence thanks to a brilliant hundred, which comprised a string of sixes against spin greats, Erapalli Prasanna and Bishen Singh Bedi, for Mumbai against Rest of India, in an Irani Cup game, at the start of the 1975-76 season.

He was picked in the Indian team for subsequent twin-tours of New Zealand and the West Indies, and made his Test debut against the Kiwis at Auckland.