Mohammed Shami wins Arjuna
Joining the ranks of distinguished Indian cricketers, Mohammed Shami was conferred the Arjuna Award, making him the 58th recipient in the sport and the first since Shikhar Dhawan in 2021.
Shami’s exceptional performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup earned him this accolade. The seasoned fast bowler claimed an impressive 24 wickets in just seven matches, making him the highest wicket-taker in India’s journey to the final.
Despite the team’s disappointment in losing both the World Test Championship and the World Cup to Australia, one player stood out with an exceptional performance in the bowling department.
Mohammed Shami had a remarkable year, particularly in the World Cup. He played a pivotal role in the semi-final against New Zealand, securing a figure of 7/57.
Additionally, Shami holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian in World Cups, accumulating 55 wickets in only 18 matches.
“Today I am feeling very proud that I have been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President. I want to thank all those people who have helped me a lot to get here and have always supported me in my ups and downs,” Shami wrote on his Instagram handle.
Ace cricketer Virat Kohli replied to the post, saying, “Mubarak ho lala”. Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri and Gautam Gambhir too congratulated Shami on his achievement.
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Mohammed Shami is now based in Kolkata and plays for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.