Shami received the prestigious award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024.
Shami's name was recommended by the BCCI for this prestigious award for his incredible performances in 2023. While the right-arm pacer was brilliant throughout the year, he took the cricketing world by storm with his stunning exploits in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Shami finished the showpiece tournament as the leading wicket-taker, taking 24 wickets from seven matches at an incredible average of 10.70 with three five-wicket hauls.
In a distinguished ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Shami received the Arjuna Award from India’s honorable President Droupadi Murmu. The event marked a significant recognition of Shami's outstanding contribution to Indian sports.
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In 2023, Mohammad Shami claimed 43 wickets in 19 ODIs and picked up 13 wickets from four Tests. He has been out of action ever since India’s World Cup 2023 final loss to Australia on November 19.
Shami was initially named in the Test squad for the recently held South Africa tour but couldn’t travel to the Rainbow Nation due to an ankle injury.
According to reports, the veteran pacer is unlikely to feature in the first two matches of the upcoming five-Test series against England, starting on January 25 in Hyderabad.