Mohammed Shami, Indian fast bowler, is being considered for India’s second top sport honor, the Arjuna Award. As news source ANI reveals, he wasn’t initially listed. However, India’s Cricket Control Board, the BCCI, put in a “special request” so he’d be added.
In 2023 Mohammed Shami demonstrated impressive shape, majorly aiding India’s journey to the final round of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Even though he didn’t play in the initial half of the event, he was the lead wicket-taker garnering 24 wicket victories at an average of 10.71. Shami’s successes highlight three fantastic five-wicket victories and bagging four wickets in one go during just seven games.
Since 1961, the Arjuna Award has been recognizing athletes. It’s for those who show “strong performance in sports over four years” on a global stage. It’s also for those who display “leadership skills, sportsman spirit, and discipline.”
All government-recognized sports organizations in India, as well as former recipients of the Major Dhyan Chandra Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and Dronacharya awards, submit nominations to the sports ministry.
Last year, twenty-five athletes took home the prize, but none of them played cricket. Shikhar Dhawan was the latest cricket player to receive the yearly award in 2021. The year prior, it was won by Ishant Sharma and Deepti Sharma.
“If I tell you coaches could create Mohammed Shami, I would be lying” – Paras Mhambrey
Paras Mhambrey, Team India’s bowling coach, recently praised Mohammed Shami as a one-of-a-kind talent, stating the pacer’s ability to land the ball on the seam every time is practically uncoachable and acquired over years of careful hard effort.
“Well, if I tell you that coaches could create a bowler like Shami, then I would be lying. If a bowler can land it on upright seam every time then every other bowler in the world will be Shami,” Mhambrey told PTI.
Paras Mhambrey
Paras Mhambrey further added:
“It is a skill that Shami has acquired with tremendous hardwork and developed himself into the bowler that he is. Bowling ball after ball on the seam and with that perfect wrist position and getting it to move either ways is a rare skill set.”
Paras Mhambrey
A slight ailment will keep Mohammed Shami out of the white-ball phase of India’s current tour of South Africa, but he should be recovered for the two Test matches against the Proteas later this month.