New Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended the name of fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who performed brilliantly in the ODI World Cup, for this year’s Arjuna Award. This 33-year-old fast bowler had performed brilliantly in the recently concluded ODI World Cup. India lost to Australia in the final of this tournament.
According to Sports Ministry sources, BCCI made a special request to include Shami’s name in the list. Earlier his name was not included in the list of players nominated for the country’s second highest sports award. Shami took the most wickets in the ODI World Cup. He had taken 24 wickets in only seven matches.
After being out of the first four matches, when Shami got a chance, he took full advantage of it. He can now play in the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa. The Sports Ministry has constituted a 12-member committee to decide this year’s Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award.
Retired Supreme Court judge AM Khanwilkar will head this committee. Apart from him, hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, former table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta, former boxer Akhil Kumar, female shooter and current national coach Shuma Shirur, former cricketer Anjum Chopra, badminton player Trupti Murgunde and powerlifter Farman Pasha are also included in the committee.
