Senior India fast bowler Mohammed Shami became the latest recipient of the Arjuna Award. On Tuesday, January 9th, Shami received the Arjuna Award in Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu in a grand ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Arjuna Award is India’s second-highest sporting honor after the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. The award is given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports “to recognize outstanding achievements of sportspersons in the field of sports at international level”.
The 33-year-old fast bowler has been a regular member of India’s all three formats for a decade. He was at his most lethal best during the recent ODI World Cup 2023 at home. Despite being on the bench for the first four games, Shami finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps at a stunning average of 10.7.
Mohammed Shami is the 58th Indian cricketer (male and female) and only the 9th pacer to be conferred with the Arjuna Award.
Kapil Dev was the first Indian fast bowler to win the Arjun Award in 1979/80.
9 Indian Fast Bowlers Who Have Won The Arjuna Award
Kapil Dev – 1979/80
Madan Lal – 1989
Manoj Prabhakar – 1993
Javagal Srinath – 1996
Venkatesh Prasad – 2000
Jhulan Goswami – 2010
Zaheer Khan – 2011
Ishant Sharma – 2021
Mohammed Shami – 2023
Meanwhile, Shami is recovering from an ankle injury.
When will Mohammed Shami return?
Mohammed Shami has said that he is hoping to make his comeback in the upcoming 5-Test series against England at home, starting January 25.
Mohammed Shami and his mother with the Arjuna Award…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BgubLkJtuO
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 10, 2024
Shami is currently recovering from an ankle injury that forced him to miss the Test series in South Africa. He played in the World Cup while battling the pain in his ankle. While Shami bowled superbly, his ankle injury got worse and he had to miss all action since then, including the Test series in South Africa, which was drawn 1-1.
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