'Well deserved Shami Bhai' - Fans overjoyed as Mohammed Shami gets recommended for Arjuna Award for his performances in 2023 World Cup

In a recent piece of news, the name of veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been recommended for the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recommendation has come owing to the stellar performances of the 33-year-old for India in the ODI World Cup 2023. Notably, Shami was rested for the first four matches of India in the league stage of the tournament.

He was given a chance in the playing XI after the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya got injured during the match against Bangladesh. Alongside Shami, star batter Suryakumar Yadav was also brought in the playing XI to replace Shardul Thakur for the further matches in the tournament.

Just in his first match of the ODI World Cup 2023, against New Zealand, Shami claimed a five-wicket haul and won the ‘Player of the Match award for his match-defining performance in India’s favour.

Later, the Amroha-born pacer ended up in the prestigious cricket quadrennial as a leading wicket-taker, scalping 24 wickets in just 7 innings of the 7 matches, he played for India in the tournament.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded Shami for his stunning performances throughout the tournament; PM Modi patted Shami while he met the Indian players in the dressing room after India faced a heartbreaking loss by 6 wickets in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.

Mohammed Shami spoke on the struggles of his life

Speaking of Shami’s life struggles, he faced many hardships while growing up in Uttar Pradesh’s city of Amroha. He also shared how he matched his passion for cricket and his family responsibilities. 

“I like travelling, and fishing. I like driving a lot. I like driving bikes and cars. But after playing for India, I have stopped driving bikes. What if I get injured? I drive a bike on highways, maybe sometimes in the village when I go to meet my mom,” said Shami in a video on a Sponsor’s YouTube channel.

“Zameen se hi aaya hu. Kheto ki jo booghi hoti hai, I have driven tractors, buses, and trucks. I have driven a bus in the truck. One of my school friends had a truck in his house. He told me to drive. I was small then and was driving on the ground. I drove our tractor into the pond too. My father scolded me,” he added later. 

Here’s how fans reacted to the recommendation of Mohammed Shami’s name for the Arjuna Award: