The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has proposed the name of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for the prestigious Arjuna Award this year, as reported by PTI. Despite his notable absence from the initial list of nominations, the BCCI made a special appeal to the Sports Ministry advocating for Shami’s inclusion in the esteemed awards.

At 33 years old, Shami played a crucial role in India’s runner-up finish in the ODI World Cup, delivering an exceptional performance. He emerged as the top wicket-taker during the tournament, securing an impressive 24 wickets in just seven matches. Notably, Shami’s entry into the playing XI after the initial four games showcased outstanding performances, with a remarkable average of 5.26.

In addition to his ODI World Cup success, Shami is expected to be part of the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The series is scheduled to kick off with a boxing day Test on December 26 in Centurion, followed by a second match in Cape Town starting on January 3.

The selection process for this year’s sports awards, including the Arjuna Award, will be determined by a 12-member committee appointed by the Sports Ministry. This panel comprises six former international athletes, namely Dhanraj Pillay, Kamlesh Mehta, Akhil Kumar, Shuma Shirur, Anjum Chopra, Tripti Murgunde, and Farman Pasha, who bring their expertise from various sports disciplines to the decision-making process.