Cricket

‘His performance in the world cup 2023 will be remembered for decades’- Fans react as Mohammed Shami receives prestigious Arjuna Award

Fans react as the esteemed Arjuna Award is bestowed upon pace bowler Mohammed Shami on Tuesday, January 9. This acknowledgment follows Shami's outstanding display in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he clinched the title of the leading wicket-taker."

author-image
Sarah Andrew
New Update
zdsf

The Indian cricketing community rejoiced as fast bowler Mohammed Shami was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award on Tuesday, January 9. This recognition came in the aftermath of Shami's exceptional performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 24 wickets.

In the wake of his remarkable run in the ODI World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) put forth Shami's name for the Arjuna Award, a gesture that reflected his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket. The cricketer, known for his lethal pace and skilful swing, expressed his elation, considering the award a dream that only a select few manage to fulfil.

Shami's Remarkable Performance in the ODI World Cup

Mohammed Shami's journey to the Arjuna Award was marked by stellar performances that turned heads in the cricketing world. Despite not being part of the playing XI for the first four games, his entry due to an injury to Hardik Pandya proved pivotal. Shami's impactful debut in the tournament against New Zealand, where he claimed 5 for 54, set the tone for his exceptional campaign.

His brilliance continued with another five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the group stage, boasting figures of 5 for 18. However, it was in the semifinal clash against New Zealand that Shami etched his name in ODI World Cup history. Displaying nerves of steel, he claimed a staggering 7 for 57 in a high-scoring thriller, propelling India to the final. Here is the video of Mohammed Shami receiving the Arjuna Award:

 

The Arjuna Award Ceremony

The National Sports Awards ceremony witnessed Shami, along with other accomplished athletes, being felicitated with the Arjuna Award. The list of awardees included notable names like Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics), Aditi Swami (Archery), Diksha Dagar (Golf), Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi), Sunil Kumar (Wrestling), and Ajay Reddy (Blind Cricket).

Shami, reflecting on the honor, shared his gratitude, stating, "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."

The Arjuna Awards weren't limited to cricket; in fact, a significant portion of the recipients hailed from India's historic run in the 2023 Asian Games held in China. The country achieved a record medal tally of 107, showcasing the prowess of Indian athletes across various disciplines. 

Cricket fans from all over the country expressed their gratitude to the veteran Indian pacer and took to X formerly Twitter to praise him for his feat. Here are some of the tweets by fans on X:

 

Mohammed Shami