Reports: Mohammed Shami recommended for prestigious Arjuna Award

India’s ace speedster Mohammed Shami is reportedly in contention for the prestigious Arjuna Award, a recognition of his stellar performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023. Sources reveal that the selection committee has recommended his name for this esteemed honor, marking his outstanding contributions to the game. According to reports, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took a special initiative by appealing to the Sports Ministry to include Shami, whose name was initially absent from the list.

The 33-year-old displayed sheer brilliance, maintaining a scintillating form throughout the year, especially in the recently concluded World Cup. Shami’s exceptional prowess on the field was evident as he claimed a staggering 7 wickets against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final. His phenomenal performance crowned him as the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, securing a remarkable tally of 24 wickets in just seven innings.

The Arjuna Award, also recognised as the Arjuna Awards for Exceptional Performance in Sports and Games, holds the distinction as India’s second most prestigious sports honour following the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. It draws its name from the figure of Arjuna in the ancient Sanskrit epic, Mahabharata. Krishna Das, an archer, claimed the inaugural Arjuna Award, marking its inception in 1961. Over time, the award’s criteria and framework have undergone several alterations while maintaining its core objective of recognizing the nation’s top athletes.

Shami had dream run in World Cup 2023

The right-arm pacer showcased his magic in crucial matches, notably delivering a remarkable 5-wicket haul, conceding only 18 runs against Sri Lanka at Wankhede. His impactful presence during the Powerplay shattered the opposition’s hopes in a challenging chase of 358 runs. Despite not featuring in the team’s initial games, he emerged as a game-changer, showcasing his bowling wizardry by claiming 24 wickets at a strikingly low economy rate of 5.26 and an impressive average of 10.70.

Looking ahead, Shami is anticipated to make a grand return to the field as part of the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The highly-anticipated series will kick off with a Boxing Day clash on December 26th at Centurion, followed by the second Test scheduled for January 3rd in Cape Town.