Mohammed Shami, an accomplished speedster from India, is reportedly a contender for the Arjun Award.
The selection committee has suggested Shami for this year’s coveted Arjuna award in light of his outstanding performance during the cricket World Cup 2023. Shami’s name was previously missing from the list, so the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly made a special request to the Sports Ministry. In sports, the Arjuna Award is ranked second in importance.
Throughout the entire year, the 33-year-old was incredible for the Men in Blue. Up until November, the right-arm pacer carried on with his incredible World Cup run. At an economy rate of 5.68 and an average of 12.06, he claimed 15 wickets. With 24 wickets from just seven innings, he emerged as the 2023 Cricket World Cup’s top wicket-taker overall. One of his best performances this month was a breathtaking 5/18 at Wankhede against Sri Lanka. When Shami arrived at the end of the first Powerplay, Sri Lanka was already struggling in a 358-run chase. He batted through their middle and lower order in his five overs. At Eden Gardens, a concentrated 2/18 contributed to South Africa’s destruction. But against New Zealand in the semi-final, the quick bowler was outstanding.
Given that he didn’t even play for the team when the season started, Shami was incredibly impressive as the tournament’s top wicket-taker. Shami became a star bowler after missing his team’s first four matches, taking 24 wickets at an average of just 5.26 and 10.70. With Shami’s returns coming in ten fewer matches than any of the players above him on the list, only four players in the history of the men’s game—Lasith Malinga (56), Mitchell Starc (65), Muttiah Muralitharan (68), and Glenn McGrath (71)—have taken more wickets in the Cricket World Cup than Shami (55).
