JAIPUR: Women cricketers from Rajasthan Jyoti Chaudhary and Vrinda Sharma bagged the Sundarkanti Joshi (SKJ) Awards in the senior and sub-junior categories respectively for their performance in the domestic season 2023-24 here on Sunday. In the junior category, last year's winner Sidhi Sharma was the sole performer, but she was not considered. Under the norms of the awards, once felicitated, the players become eligible again after a gap of four years.
"The selection panel of former state Ranji player and U-19 selector Devendra Pal Singh along with former players Yogesh Mathur, Bharti Verma, Rekha Sharma and Anjulata Sharma finalised the names for the fifth Sundarkanti Joshi Awards," said one of the organisers and former state Ranji player Sharad Joshi.
The awards, organised by Radha Niwas Cricket Club which is owned by the Joshi family that has produced six Ranji players, are held to promote women cricketers in the state.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jyoti has scored 369 runs and effected 41 dismissals in 22 games this season while opening batter Vrinda registered 209 runs in 5 matches and took two wickets.
The felicitation ceremony will be held on April 3.
Sita honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award: Introduced from this year, the Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Sita Bhargava. She made her debut in 1974 and not only led the Rajasthan team, but also represented the country in 1978.
"It feels great that we are being recognised for what we did long back as cricketers. Joshis have made a great beginning by coming forward to honour women cricketers from the state," Sita said.
"I played for India after four years of making my debut. It was against an English team at the SMS Stadium. I stopped playing the sport in 1982 and got married in 1983," she added.
