Ace Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award, recognizing his exceptional performance in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup 2023. The 33-year-old pace spearhead, who was not initially on the shortlist, received the nomination following a special request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the Sports Ministry.
Shami’s consistent brilliance throughout the year culminated in a spectacular World Cup campaign. He emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, claiming an astonishing 24 wickets in just seven matches, boasting an impressive average of 12.06 and an economical rate of 5.68.
One of his most impactful performances was a devastating spell of 5/18 against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium. With Sri Lanka chasing a challenging 358, Shami’s arrival at the end of the Powerplay proved decisive. He ripped through their middle and lower order, single-handedly derailing their chase.
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He further showcased his prowess with a crucial 2/18 performance in the demolition of South Africa at Eden Gardens. However, Shami’s true brilliance shone through in the tournament’s semi-final against New Zealand.
India Star Pacer Mohammed Shami In Running For Arjuna Award#mohammedshami #ArjunaAward #TeamIndiahttps://t.co/dIR4bEh10i
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) December 13, 2023
It’s noteworthy that Shami wasn’t even part of the initial team when the World Cup began. However, after missing the first four games, he emerged as a key player, claiming 24 wickets at a stellar average of just 5.26 and a remarkable strike rate of 10.70.
Shami’s World Cup performance has cemented his place among the legends of the tournament. His 55 wickets rank him alongside esteemed bowlers like Lasith Malinga (56), Mitchell Starc (65), Muttiah Muralitharan (68), and Glenn McGrath (71), achieving this feat in ten fewer matches than any of them.
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With his sights set on future achievements, Shami is likely to return to action for India in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The series begins on December 26 in Centurion, followed by the second Test in Cape Town on January 3. As he continues to excel, Shami’s name is sure to be etched in cricket history for years to come.
