You deserve the recognition: Ravi Shastri proud of Mohammed Shami after pacer receieves Arjuna Award
Former India captain and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri penned a heartfelt note to Mohammed Shami, congratulating the pacer after he received the Arjuna Award.
India’s second-highest sporting honour, on Tuesday, January 9. Shami was amongst the 26 Indian athletes who received the Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Mohammed Shami became the 58th Indian cricketer to win the Arjuna Award and the first since Shikhar Dhawan in 2021. Shami was rewarded for his sensational run in the ODI World Cup in 2023. The veteran fast bowler picked up 24 wickets in just 7 matches in the World Cup, finishing as the table-topper in India’s run to the final.
Mohammed Shami took his tally past 50 wickets in the ODI World Cup and is only 16 behind Glenn McGrath’s all-time record in the 50-over premier tournament.
Taking to social media, Ravi Shastri heaped praise on Mohammed Shami, lauding the pacer’s determination to emerge out of a tough phase and take his professional career to greater heights.
“Congratulations, @MdShami11. Your relentless pursuit for excellence in tough times is something to be admired by one and all. You deserve recognition and honour for your achievements in total. God bless,” Shastri said in a post on X.
Shastri was India’s head coach when Mohammed Shami evolved into one of the finest pacers going around, especially in Test cricket. Shami’s best year in Tests came in 20198 when he picked 47 wickets in 12 matches as India, under Shastri’s tenure, competed toe-to-toe with the likes of England, Australia and South Africa away from home. Shami followed it up with 33 wickets in 9 Tests in 2019.
Shami missed the recently concluded Test series in South Africa due to an injury he picked up after the World Cup. The senior pacer, who is nursing an ankle issue, said he wants to be 100 percent fit before he returns to action.
The team management will be hoping that Shami is fit for the upcoming 5-Test series against England from January 25.
“I am trying best to be available for selection for England Test series. Test match is a longer format, so you don’t want to be in doubt.”