WATCH: Proud moment! Mohammed Shami receives prestigious Arjuna Award after magnificent performance in 2023
He was the highest wicket taker of the ODI World Cup, with 24 wickets. He averaged only 10.71 as well.
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Mohammed Shami receives the Arjuna Award (Image via X)
On 9th January, 2024, Mohammed Shami was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award. He is the 4th cricketer to be awarded the prestigious award since 2020. He, along with 25 more athletes, were awarded in the event.
Shami has had a rollercoaster of a year. From being India’s frontline bowler in ODIs, he was dropped when Jasprit Bumrah was injured, as Mohammed Siraj was in better form at the time. He sat out the majority of the 2023 Asia Cup, which India won. He played only two matches in the tournament, picking up 3 wickets.
Shami did play against Australia in the 3-match ODI series before the start of the World Cup, picking up a fifer, but was dropped in the 3rd match. Shami was benched at the start of the World Cup, with Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur preferred.
During India’s fixture with Bangladesh, Hardik Pandya injured his ankle, which ruled him out of the tournament. The very next day Shami was brought in as India’s 3rd pacer and picked up 5 wickets against New Zealand. In the very next game he picked up 4 against England and took yet another fifer against Sri Lanka. He had 14 wickets in three matches.
As India won game after game, Shami picked up wickets for fun. In the semi-finals against New Zealand, he picked up 7 wickets which was instrumental in reaching the World Cup final. In the final against Australia, he did pick up a wicket, but it wasn’t enough as Australia were crowned World Cup Champions.
He was the highest wicket taker of the tournament, with 24 wickets. He averaged only 10.71 as well. Further reports revealed that he played the entire tournament with an ankle injury, but took painkillers to ensure he could play.
Mohammed Shami requests everyone to support Narendra Modi amid Maldives row
In the past few days, there has been tension between India and Maldives after a member of their government racially abused Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The abuse came after he promoted the Indian islands, Lakshadweep, as a tourist spot. When interviewed by ANI regarding the row, Mohammed Shami said he backed the Prime Minister, claiming he is trying to make the country better.
We should promote our tourism. No matter which way the country moves forward, it is good for everyone. PM is trying to make our country move forward so we should also support it,Mohammed Shami on India-Maldives conflict
As of now there is no confirmation of when Shami will return to play for India, but he aims for the upcoming 5-match Test series against England. He hasn’t returned to bowling yet, but will start training at the NCA (National Cricket Academy) soon.
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Dhruv Kulkarni
(1120 Articles Published)