Former all-rounder Kapil Dev was presented the 'Castrol Lifetime Achievement award' while Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were jointly named 'Indian Cricketer of the year', 2003-04, at a glittering function in Kolkata on Friday.
Kapil, who took 434 wickets and scored 5,248 runs in Tests besides capturing 253 wickets and amassing 3,783 runs in One-Day Internationals, received the trophy from David Baldry, Group vice-president of BP Lubricants.
"Whatever success I have achieved is because of my teammates. No single individual can reach such level without the support of parents, teachers, fellow cricketers, the board and the coach," the former skipper said in the presence of the current Indian team and a host of South African players, who are in the city to play the final Test, beginning on Sunday.
Tendulkar and Dravid, who tied for the best cricketer of the year award, received a trophy and a cheque of Rupees 500,000.
The award is based on two criteria. First, the top five cricketers are selected through statistical performance during the year under review before the final choice is made through voting by India players - both past and present.
The other finalists - Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman and Irfan Pathan - were presented a trophy and Rs 50,000 each.
Sehwag was also felicitated and received a trophy from batting legend Sunil Gavaskar for becoming India's first triple centurion in Test cricket while Kumble was feted by Kapil for taking 400 Test wickets.
