Star batsman Rahul Dravid, who played a brilliant role for India when chips were down, the team lost eight tests matches and lost the top spot last year, was awarded the Castrol Indian Test Batsman of the year 2011 at a glittering function held here today. Sachin Tendulkar, for completing 100 centuries in the carrier during the year, was awarded the batsman of the year. Former captain Ajit Wadekar was awarded the ‘Lifetime achievment Award’ for leading the Indian side to the first series win overseas against formidable West Indies in 1971 and contributing as the chief selector of the senior side. Rahul, who scored three centuries in India’s 4-0 series loss against England, said on his retirement he was happy with a leisurely life now after 20 years of hard work. ‘I am relaxed and enjoying my life. Though I get up early in morning, now I do not go to the cricket pitch but take my children to the school,’ he said after receiving the award. Tendulkar who is going strong even after 23 years of high level performance, said his next course will be to play as long as he enjoyed the cricket. On the next course of action, he said, ‘as long as there is a reason to wake up in the morning and I enjoy my cricket I will do it. On the day when I hold the cricket bat and it does not excite me, I will stop’. Upcoming off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin paid rich tribute to his personal coach Sunil Subramanium after receiving ‘Indian Ttest Borlwer of the year’ for his fine exploits during 2011. Promising start of Indian cricket Unmukt Chand, who led the Indian Under-19 team to a spectacular World Cup victory over Australia was awarded the Indian Junior Cricketer of the year. Suresh Raina was awarded the Indian ODI cricketer of the year, while Virender Sehwag received the special award for his record 219 in One-day international against West Indies. His Delhi opening partner Gautam Gambhir got the award of best player performing ‘under pressure’ and young gun Virat Kohli got the award for stand out performance under pressure. UNI
