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New Delhi: On Tuesday, Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami was awarded with the Arjuna Award by the President of India Droupadi Murmu. He had a stellar year in International cricket in 2023, was awarded the honour by Indian President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His name was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India after his sensational outing in the ODI World Cup 2023. Shami was extremely happy when he was nominated for the award. Shami said, “Its the biggest achievement of my life I can’t express my feelings. I love my sport and I always try to do best whatever I am doing. The kind of support my family gave to me to pursue my dream is just amazing.”
He added,“I don’t have words to explain that how I started my journey from Amroha to Indian cricket. Passion is always there and I always try to play as much as I can and do well for the country.” Shami finished the World Cup 2023 as the best bowler in the tournament, picking up 24 wickets from just 7 matches.
Ahead of the award ceremony, Shami had said, “This award is a dream, life passes and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award.” Despite missing the first four matches of India’s 2023 world cup campaign, Shami left quite an impression with a stunning show that saw him finish with 24 wickets from seven games including three five-wicket hauls.
Mohammed Shami was not named in the playing XI for the first four matches in the World Cup 2023. Shami got into the playing XI after Hardik Pandya suffered a terrible ankle injury against Bangladesh on October 19. Shami had an instant impact in the tournament for the Indian side picking up 5 wickets against New Zealand on his return. The pacer went on a record run from there. Shami finished with 24 wickets in the tournament, ahead of star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Today, 26 sportspersons, including Shami received the Arjuna Awards from the President for their impressive performaces in 2023 that helped the nation sides to emerge victorious. Arjuna Award is the second highest sporting honour in India after the Khel Ratna Award. On Tuesday, President Murmu handed over the awards to 26 athletes, including Shami and long jumper M Sreeshankar, during the award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
