New Delhi : – In a momentous ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred the esteemed Arjuna Award upon Team India pacer Mohammed Shami on Tuesday. The award, India’s second-highest sporting honor following the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in recognition of Shami’s outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Shami’s noteworthy achievements in the ICC Cricket World Cup included being the highest wicket-taker for India, securing a total of 24 wickets in just seven matches. His pivotal role contributed significantly to Team India’s success as the Runner-Up (Men’s Team) in both the ICC Cricket World Cup held in India and the ICC World Test Championship held in London, United Kingdom, both in 2023.
Expressing his gratitude on the eve of the event, Shami remarked, “This award is a dream; life passes, and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award.”
Shami’s impactful presence became prominent in the 2023 World Cup after he was included in the playing XI following an unfortunate ankle injury to Hardik Pandya during the match against Bangladesh on October 19.
The Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honor, is a testament to Shami’s dedication and skill in the field of cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recommended Shami’s name for the award, recognizing his exceptional performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Speaking on the eve of the event, Shami expressed his gratitude, stating, “This award is a dream; life passes, and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award.”
The list of Arjuna Award Winners 2023 includes notable names from various sporting disciplines:
Ojas Pravin Deotale (Archery)
Aditi Gopichand Swami (Archery)
Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics)
Parul Chaudhary (Athletics)
Mohammad Hussamuddin (Boxing)
R Vaishali (Chess)
Mohammed Shami (Cricket)
Anush Agarwalla (Equestrian)
Divyakriti Singh (Equestrian Dressage)
Diksha Dagar (Golf)
Krishan Bahadur Pathak (Hockey)
Sushila Chanu (Hockey)
Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi)
Ritu Negi (Kabaddi)
Nasreen (Kho-Kho)
Pinki (Lawn Bowls)
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (Shooting)
Esha Singh (Shooting)
Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (Squash)
Ayhika Mukherjee (Table Tennis)
Sunil Kumar (Wrestling)
Antim Panghal (Wrestling)
Naorem Roshibina Devi (Wushu)
Sheetal Devi (Para Archery)
Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Blind Cricket)
Prachi Yadav (Para Canoeing)
The Arjuna Award ceremony not only celebrates individual excellence but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across diverse sports.
