Jaipur: Fast bowling sensation Ashok Sharma, promising all-rounder Kushagra Ojha and upcoming batter Shifan Khan were chosen as the recipients for the 33rd edition of the Mathuradas Mathur Awards.While Indian pacer Ashok of Jaipur picked in the senior category, Kushagra (Bhilwara) and Shifan (Jaipur) were selected in the junior and sub-junior section, respectively.The selection committee, headed by former Ranji Trophy player Ved Ahuja, made the selection unanimously on the basis of the players’ performance throughout the 2025-26 BCCI season. Former Rajasthan Ranji stalwarts Sanjay Vyas, Sharad Joshi, Rohit Jhalani and Gaurav Sharma were the other members of the selection committee.
Promising all-rounder Kushagra Ojha has been chosen as the best junior cricketer
Addressing a news conference here on Monday, Vinod Mathur, president of the Rajasthan Blues Cricket Club, said the awards ceremony will be held on September 6, the birth anniversary of the late Mathuradas Mathur. The senior category winner will receive a prize money of Rs 15,000, while the junior and sub-junior category winners will receive Rs 7,500 each, along with a certificate of excellence, a memento, and a cricket kit bag.In-form Indian left-arm spinner Manav Suthar will also be honoured on the occasion. Ex-Rajasthan cricketer Mathur said that Manav Suthar, who recently made his debut in the Indian Test team, will be specially felicitated at the function.The best players for the year 2025-26 for the prestigious 33rd Mathuradas Mathur Award of Rajasthan Cricket were announced on Monday. The selection committee has selected Jaipur’s fast bowler Ashok Sharma in the senior category, Bhilwara’s all-rounder Kushagra Ojha in the junior category and Jaipur’s batsman Shifan Khan in the sub-junior category as the best cricketers. The selection committee headed by former Ranji player Ved Ahuja made this selection unanimously on the basis of the players’ performance throughout the year. The selection committee includes Sanjay Vyas, Sharad Joshi, Rohit Jhalani and Gaurav Sharma.
Upcoming batter Shifan Khan will get the prize in the sub-junior category
The annual ceremony will be held on September 6.AWARDEESAshok Sharma: Senior category winner Ashok Sharma performed impressively with the ball in domestic cricket. He took 22 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 13 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and 14 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He also represented India in international T20 cricket, playing two matches and taking one wicket.Kushagra Ojha: In the junior category, Kushagra Ojha scored 308 runs in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, including a century and two half-centuries. The teenager amassed 565 runs in the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, including two centuries and four half-centuries. He also had notable performances for the India Under-19 team, including a Test century of 111. He also scored 92 runs in ODIs.Shifan Khan: Selected in the sub-junior category, Shifan Khan scored 241 runs in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, including a century and a half-century. He also scored 232 runs in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, including a brilliant century of 133.
