Mohammed Shami on Tuesday was bestowed with India's second-highest sporting honour, Arjuna Award, for his exemplary performance in the field of cricket in 2023.
Shami received the award from Indian President Draupadi Murmu. The sports ministry recommended Shami's name for the award after the bowler had an exceptional year.
The highlight of the year for Shami came in the ODI World Cup 2023. After sitting out of the first four group-stage matches, Shami got a call-up to the starting XI after Hardik Pandya's injury.
Shami made an instant impact, picking up 5 wickets against New Zealand on his return. From there on, he didn't have to look back as wickets kept coming his way.
Shami finished the World Cup 2023 as the best bowler in the tournament, picking up 24 wickets from just 7 matches.
Shami played 19 ODIs in 2023, picking up 43 wickets at an average of over 16. He achieved his career-best figures of 7/57 against New Zealand in World Cup this year.
Although Shami played in just four Tests in 2023, he was equally dominant in the longest format too. Shami picked up 13 wickets at an average of just under 32.