Arjuna Award: In a commendable recognition of his stellar performance in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended Mohammed Shami for the prestigious Arjuna Award. Mohammed Shami’s exceptional contributions to the Indian cricket team’s campaign have earned him a well-deserved spot in the list of nominees for India’s second-highest sporting honor.
“During the recently concluded World Cup, Mohammed Shami emerged as the standout performer, showcasing his prowess as a fast bowler on the international stage. Despite the heartbreaking loss in the finals, Shami’s brilliance did not go unnoticed. The speedster claimed a total of 24 wickets in just 7 matches, making him the leading wicket-taker of the tournament”.
Mohammed Shami’s phenomenal performance included three five-wicket hauls, but it was his exceptional display against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final that captured cricket enthusiasts’ attention. The fast-bowler’s figures of 7 wickets for a mere 57 runs not only demonstrated his skill and accuracy but also played a pivotal role in securing India’s place in the final.
“Acknowledging Shami’s contribution, the BCCI made a special request to the Sports Ministry to include his name as a nominee for the Arjuna Award. A 12-member committee, led by retired Supreme Court Justice AM Khanwilkar, has been appointed to decide the winners of this year’s sports awards, including the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and the Arjuna Award”.
The committee comprises notable former international athletes, including hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, former paddler Kamlesh Mehta, ex-boxer Akhil Kumar, women shooter and current national coach Shuma Shirur, former cricketer Anjum Chopra, badminton player Tripti Murgunde, and powerlifter Farman Pasha.
In addition to the Arjuna Award nomination, Mohammed Shami has also been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2023. Despite India’s runners-up status in the World Cup, Shami’s impactful performances have garnered recognition and admiration, solidifying his place as a key player in the Indian cricket lineup.
Mohammed Shami’s journey in the World Cup was nothing short of remarkable. A late addition to the playing eleven, he made an immediate impact with a Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka, where he claimed five wickets for just 18 runs. The highlight of his campaign, however, came in the semi-final victory over New Zealand, where he took seven wickets for 57 runs, the best figures by any bowler in the World Cup knockout games.
“Throughout the calendar month, Shami demonstrated exceptional form, securing a total of 15 wickets at an impressive average of 12.06. As the cricketing fraternity awaits the final decision on the sports awards, Mohammed Shami’s nomination for the Arjuna Award is a testament to his skill, dedication, and significant impact on India’s cricketing success”.
